Ingredients:
🍇 Fruit & Nut Mix:
- 1½ cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates, cranberries, cherries)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)
- 1/4 cup orange juice or spiced rum (for soaking)
🧁 Cake Batter:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, but recommended)
🔥 Instructions:
1.
Prep the Fruits
- Soak the dried fruits in orange juice (or rum) for 30 minutes to overnight. Drain excess before mixing into batter.
2.
Preheat Oven
- Preheat to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
3.
Make the Batter
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with milk. Stir in vanilla and orange zest.
4.
Fold in the Fruits & Nuts
- Gently fold the soaked fruits and chopped nuts into the batter.
5.
Bake
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 65–75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- If the top browns too fast, tent with foil for the last 15 minutes.
6.
Cool & Serve
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For even better flavor, wrap and store overnight before slicing.
💡 Optional Glaze or Soak:
- Brush with warm apricot jam or a light rum syrup while warm for a glossy finish and added moisture.