Heavenly Moist Fruitcake Recipe
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.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free flour)
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Carefully stir in the prepared dried fruits and nuts until evenly incorporated throughout the batter.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 80g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: fruitcake, moist fruitcake, holiday cake, dried fruit cake, spiced cake, gluten-free fruitcake