The Easiest Fruitcake Ever

Discover the joy of effortless holiday baking with "The Easiest Fruitcake Ever." This beginner-friendly recipe combines the rich, festive flavors of mixed dried fruits, orange juice, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to create a moist and flavorful loaf that's perfect for any occasion. Simmering the dried fruit in orange juice with butter and brown sugar infuses every bite with sweetness and tang, while a simple one-bowl batter ensures minimal fuss in the kitchen. Optional chopped nuts add a delightful crunch to this already irresistible treat. Ready in just 20 minutes of prep and baked to golden perfection, this fruitcake is a crowd-pleaser that stays fresh for days. Ideal for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with your favorite hot beverage, this easy fruitcake recipe is a must-have addition to your holiday repertoire!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 450 grams mixed dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, cherries)
• 240 milliliters orange juice
• 115 grams unsalted butter
• 150 grams brown sugar
• 200 grams all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 pieces large eggs
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 100 grams chopped nuts (optional, e.g., walnuts, pecans)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the dried mixed fruits, orange juice, butter, and brown sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely. Allow it to come to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes).

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.

Step 4

Add the cooled fruit mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Step 5

In a separate small bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together. Pour this mixture into the fruit and flour mixture, stirring until well combined.

Step 6

If using chopped nuts, fold them into the batter at this stage.

Step 7

Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 85-90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the fruitcake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Step 10

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1372 grams (1372.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4550

Total Fat 178.40g	229%
Saturated Fat 66.70g	334%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 627mg	209%
Sodium 925mg	40%
Total Carbohydrate 706.50g	257%
Dietary Fiber 41.90g	150%
Total Sugars 462.30g
Protein 61.10g	122%

Vitamin D 80IU	400%
Calcium 534mg	41%
Iron 22mg	122%
Potassium 4866mg	104%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.3%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 60.4%