Description
A beautifully moist and aromatic loaf cake filled with golden raisins, mixed berries, and warm spices. This quick one-pot recipe simplifies traditional fruit cake by boiling the ingredients together before baking, resulting in deep flavor and tender texture with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 225g (1 cup) unsalted butter
- 225g (1 cup) soft brown sugar
- 225g (1½ cups) mixed dried fruit (golden raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries)
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice (or ½ tsp each nutmeg + allspice)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 225g (1¾ cups) self-raising flour (or all-purpose flour + 2 tsp baking powder)
- 2–3 tbsp brandy, rum, or sherry (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan) / 325°F / gas mark 3. Line a 900g (2 lb) loaf tin with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, dried fruit, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, and mixed spice.
- Stir and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Once slightly cooled, stir in the beaten eggs.
- Gently fold in the flour. Add the brandy, rum, or sherry if using, and stir just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
- Bake for 1½ to 1¾ hours. Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For best flavor, wrap in parchment and foil, then store for 1–2 days before slicing. Optionally brush with extra alcohol weekly to keep it moist and deepen the flavor.
Notes
- Try substituting orange zest with lemon zest for a citrusy twist.
- Perfect for festive gifting—wrap in parchment and ribbon for a personal touch.
- Make it nutty by adding ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg