Easy Fruit Cake

A simple, moist fruit cake recipe that works well for holidays or everyday baking.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit
  (raisins, currants, chopped dates, cherries, apricots, etc.)
• 1 cup orange juice or apple juice
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Some ingredients are available to purchase HERE

Instructions

1. Prepare the fruit
   In a saucepan, combine dried fruit and juice. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
2. Mix wet ingredients
   Stir butter into the warm fruit mixture until melted. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Combine dry ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Make the batter
   Fold dry ingredients into the fruit mixture. Add nuts if using.
5. Bake
   Pour batter into a greased 8-inch loaf pan or round cake pan.
   Bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool and serve
   Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Tips

• For extra flavor, soak the dried fruit overnight in juice or tea.
• The cake tastes even better the next day.
• Store tightly wrapped for up to a week.