Best Christmas Fruitcake
A rich, moist fruitcake packed with festive flavorsperfect for holiday celebrations!
Ingredients:
2 cups mixed dried fruits raisins, cherries, apricots, cranberries
1/2 cup chopped candied peel
1/2 cup chopped nuts walnuts, pecans, or almonds
1/2 cup orange juice or apple juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 300F 150C. Grease and line an 8-inch round or loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, soak the mixed dried fruits and candied peel in orange juice for at least 1 hour. Drain excess liquid if needed.
Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually fold into the wet mixture.
Stir in the soaked fruits and nuts, mixing until well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 1 hour and 30 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.
Optional: Wrap the cooled cake in cheesecloth soaked in juice or alcohol like rum or brandy and store it in an airtight container for a week to enhance the flavor.
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