Dark Fruit Cake – 1 Layer

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Cake Recipe

🍰 Dark Fruit Cake – 1 Layer

Deep • Moist • Rich

A beautifully dark, flavorful fruit cake packed with soaked dried fruits, warm spices, and a soft buttery crumb. Perfect for holidays, tea time, or whenever you want a rich homemade cake with bakery-style depth.

✨ Ingredients

🥣 Dry Mix

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp ginger

🍇 Soaked Fruit Mix (for deep flavour)

  • 2 cups mixed dried fruits (about 350g)
    (raisins, sultanas, currants, dates, prunes)
  • ½ cup candied peel (80g)
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds – 60g)
  • ½ cup rum, brandy, or fruit juice (120ml)
  • 2 tbsp molasses or black treacle
    (adds rich dark colour & flavour)

🧈 Wet Mix

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (225g)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (200g)
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¼ cup milk (60ml)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (optional but highly recommended)

🌑 For Extra Darkness (Optional but Amazing)

  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder (16g)
  • 1 tbsp instant coffee mixed with 2 tbsp hot water

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Soak the Fruits

Combine the dried fruits, candied peel, and nuts with rum, brandy, or juice.
Stir in the molasses and let everything soak:

  • Overnight for best flavour
  • Or at least 1 hour for a quick version

2️⃣ Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Ginger

Add cocoa powder here if using.

3️⃣ Make the Batter

Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add:

  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Vanilla
  • Lemon zest

Mix until smooth and creamy.

4️⃣ Combine Everything

Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.

Then fold in the soaked fruit mixture, including any leftover liquid.

5️⃣ Bake

Pour the batter into a lined:

  • 8-inch cake pan
    or
  • loaf pan

Bake at 150–160°C (302–320°F) for 60–90 minutes, depending on pan size.

✔️ The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6️⃣ Cool & Finish

Allow the cake to cool completely.

For extra richness, brush the top with:

  • 1–2 tbsp rum or brandy (optional)

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