Ultimate Fruit Cake Loaf

Ultimate Fruit Cake Loaf

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, chopped dates, cherries)
• ½ cup candied peel (optional)
• ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)
• ¾ cup hot orange juice or tea
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cloves
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Soak dried fruit and candied peel in hot orange juice or tea for 30 minutes. Drain lightly.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line a loaf pan.
3. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
5. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
6. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix gently.
7. Fold in soaked fruit and nuts.
8. Pour batter into pan and smooth top.
9. Bake 60–70 minutes, covering loosely if browning too fast.
10. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Tip:
For extra moisture, brush warm loaf with a little orange juice or syrup. Slice and enjoy.