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Fruit Cake

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I've been called many things, but this is one of my favourites:- Fruit Cake! No Nuts included! Oh! Dear! Forgive me, I couldn't resist that one{:¬)There are so many variations of this cake, but don't worry, this one is probably the best fruit cake in the world! It's easy to make and completely and utterly delicious with a cup of afternoon tea. I don't decorate my cakes with icing and stuff, as to be honest, I really can not stand it! Also, this cake could be served warm with custard, however, we're not doing that today :-P The choice is yours as always though, so, feel free to knock up a crème anglaise at your leisure!

Click the Method tab below to see a step by step guide on how to make Fruit Cake along with a few pictures to help you along.

fruit cake sliced 02

ingredients

Here's what you need :¬)

  • 2 tea bags - for the sweet tea
  • 300ml hot sweet tea - no milk!
  • 125g salted butter
  • 125g light brown sugar
  • 220g self-raising flour
  • 5g (1 heap tsp) baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 - 5 Tbsp milk*
  • 200g mixed fruit
  • 1 tsp grated lemon rind

*Use 3 Tbsp of milk to start with, then add another 1 or 2 Tbsp if the mixture is a little dry.

This fruit cake is so easy to make that I know you wont have any problems! The main thing you need to do is soak your dried fruit overnight, this is to plump up them currents and raisins which will help ensure that your finished cake is wonderfully delicious and moist.

It's taken me three attempts at combining three old recipes to perfect this. And, I baked it a second time, just to make sure that the recipe was perfect to publish!

The only thing to take note of is the 'wetness' of the cake batter. You can see in the pictures that there is more fruit towards the bottom of the cake than the top. This is because the cake batter was a little on the wet side. That's why I say "start with 3 Tbps of milk & add a little more if needed. Practice will make perfect, but, personally, I'd rather guarantee that my finished cake is moist.

So! Don't worry if your fruit sinks, you are still gonna love it!

ingredients
ingredients

method

  1. Soak your dried fruit overnight in the prepared tea
  2. Drain off the tea before you need the fruit
drain off the tea before using the fruit
soaked fruit drained in a sieve
  1. Prepare a 15cm cake tin or a 1lb loaf tin lining it with grease proof paper*

* I use cake tin liners it's quicker!

  1. Pre heat your oven to 180c
  2. Place your flour, baking powder, sugar & butter into a blender*

*If doing by hand, cream the butter, milk, eggs & sugar first. Then add your flour etc.

  1. Now add your grated lemon rind, eggs & milk
  2. Mix until all is creamed together & check the consistancy, if a little dry add more milk
  3. Now place your soaked dried fruit into a bowl & add the cake batter
  4. Stir the fruit through the batter by hand until fully dispersed
mix the soaked fruit into the batter
mixed fruit added to cake batter
  1. Pour into your prepared cake tin & place into the hot oven
pour the fruit cake mix into a lined tin
fruit cake mix in a lined loaf tin
  1. Bake 180c for 50 to 55mins, test for doneness using a wooden skewer
  2. If the skewer comes out clean the cake is done
  3. Leave for 10 minutes then remove from the tin in the paper & set onto a cooling rack
remove the fruit cake in the baking paper
fruit cake in baking paper
  1. Store in an air tight container in the baking paper when cooled
sliced fruit cake
fruit cake sliced 01
probably a slice of...
slice of cake on a plate
...the best fruit cake in the world!

Fruit Cake: Serve with a smile & mug of tea!