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Traditional Holiday Fruit Cake Recipe - Festive Delight

Traditional Holiday Fruit Cake Recipe – Festive Delight

Description

Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we’re diving into a timeless classic that’s sure to make your holiday season even sweeter – Traditional Holiday Fruit Cake. Whether you’re a long-time lover of this rich, fruity delight or trying it for the first time, this recipe will surely become a holiday tradition in your home. Bursting with dried fruits, candied cherries, and nuts, this fruit cake is moist, flavorful, and the perfect way to celebrate the festive season with family and friends. So, let’s get started on making this delectable treat that will light up any holiday table!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup dried fruit mix (a mix of cherries, pineapple, apricots, etc.)
  • 1/2 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts, pecans, or your favorite nuts)
  • 1/4 cup candied cherries, halved
    • Optional: Substitute with dried cranberries for a tart twist.
  • 1/4 cup green candied cherries, halved
  • 1/4 cup red candied cherries, halved

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

To get started, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a standard loaf pan to ensure your fruit cake will easily slide out after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents in your batter.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process aerates the butter, which helps create a tender and moist cake. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.

Step 5: Fold in the Fruits and Nuts

Gently fold in the dried fruit mix and nuts until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. The medley of flavors from the dried fruits and the crunch of nuts will give the cake its unique, festive texture.

Step 6: Decorate and Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Arrange the candied cherries on top, creating a colorful holiday pattern. Bake the cake for 70-80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake will have a beautiful golden-brown color.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve your Traditional Holiday Fruit Cake to your delighted guests!

Equipment

Notes

  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures that your butter creams properly with the sugar, creating a smooth and fluffy texture for the cake.
  • Chop Fruits and Nuts Evenly: Make sure to chop your dried fruits and nuts into small, even pieces. This will ensure every bite of cake has a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch.
  • Substitute Nuts and Fruits: Feel free to use other dried fruits like figs or raisins, and substitute different nuts like almonds or pistachios based on your preference.
  • Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix just until combined to avoid a tough cake.

Find it online: https://optimalrecipes.com/traditional-holiday-fruit-cake-recipe-festive-delight/