🎄 CHRISTMAS DARK FRUIT CAKE – RICH, MOIST & LOADED WITH HOLIDAY FLAVOR! 🍒🍰
Ingredients
For the fruit:
2 cups raisins
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup candied mixed fruit
½ cup candied cherries, halved
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
For the cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons molasses
¼ cup dark rum or extra orange juice (optional)
Directions
Prepare the fruit: In a bowl, combine the raisins, dates, candied mixed fruit, cherries, nuts, orange juice, and orange zest. Let the mixture soak for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or loaf pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and creamy, about 3–4 minutes.
Add the eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and molasses.
Combine the batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Fold in the soaked fruit and any remaining soaking liquid. Add the rum or extra orange juice if desired.
Fill the pan: Spoon the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove large air pockets.
Bake slowly: Bake for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the pan and oven. Check the center with a skewer; it should come out without wet batter. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
Cool completely: Let the cake rest in the pan for 20 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and enjoy: Slice with a sharp knife and serve plain or with whipped cream. For an even richer flavor, wrap the cooled cake and let it rest for a day before serving.