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Heavenly Moist Fruitcake Recipe

Heavenly Moist Fruitcake Recipe
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A moist and flavorful fruitcake packed with a blend of tender dried fruits, warm spices, and a hint of citrus zest. This Heavenly Moist Fruitcake Recipe is easy to make, delivers consistent results, and is perfect for festive celebrations or cozy treats year-round.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Nuts

  • 1 ½ cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, cherries, apricots)
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) – optional

    • Wet Ingredients

    • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 2 large eggs, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon orange zest

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for GF version)
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Fruits: Chop the dried fruits and nuts evenly to distribute flavor and texture. If desired, soak fruits in rum, brandy, or another liquid for a few hours or overnight to enhance moistness and flavor.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer or vigorous hand whisking, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
  3. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract and orange zest thoroughly to build flavor complexity.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves) to ensure even flavor distribution and remove any lumps.
  5. Combine Batter and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture without overmixing, maintaining a light texture and preventing a dense cake.
  6. Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Carefully stir in the prepared dried fruits and nuts until evenly incorporated throughout the batter.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Check doneness starting at the minimum time to avoid overbaking.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for a smooth batter.
  • Fold dry ingredients gently to avoid a dense cake.
  • Test doneness early with a skewer to prevent overbaking.
  • High-quality dried fruits significantly enhance flavor and moisture.
  • Cool the cake completely before slicing to set texture and reduce crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: fruitcake, moist fruitcake, holiday cake, dried fruit cake, spiced cake, gluten-free fruitcake

Find it online: https://homemademealz.com/heavenly-moist-fruitcake-recipe/