Grandma’s Classic Fruit Cake – Easy Recipes for the Holidays
This timeless fruit cake is moist, rich, and packed with flavor. A must-have for holidays and perfect for gifting!
Servings: 12 slices
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, cherries, pineapple, dates)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for coating fruit and nuts)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease a loaf or tube pan and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with orange juice. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Toss dried fruits and nuts with 2 tbsp flour to prevent sinking. Fold into the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Tap the pan gently to remove air bubbles.
- Bake for 2 to 2½ hours or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.