Description
This Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake is a festive holiday favorite that’s rich, moist, and loaded with dried fruits, nuts, and candied cherries. Perfect for Christmas celebrations, it’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time. With its colorful, decorative topping and deep, rich flavor, this fruit cake is sure to be the highlight of your holiday dessert spread.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup milk
1 cup mixed dried fruit (chopped cherries, pineapple, apricots, etc.)
½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
¼ cup candied green cherries, halved
¼ cup candied red cherries, halved
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or a small bundt pan.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in Nuts and Fruit: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruit and chopped nuts until evenly distributed.
- Decorate and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Arrange the halved red and green candied cherries on top.
- Bake: Bake for 70-80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Storage: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
Freezing: You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
Make-Ahead: This fruit cake improves in flavor after a few days, so feel free to make it ahead of time for stress-free holiday prep.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70-80 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
- Calories: 300 kcal per serving