Old Fashioned Moist Fruit Cake Recipes

WORLD'S BEST FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• The Day Before Baking: Combine the dried fruit in a large mixing bowl. Add the dark rum, cover, and allow the mixture to soak at room temperature for a minimum of 12 hours, or ideally 24 hours prior to preparing the fruit cake batter.
• Prepare the Fruitcake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) with a rack in the center position. Set aside two 8x4-inch All Clad Pro-Release Bakeware Loaf Pans. If using these pans, you do not need to line or grease the pans prior to adding the batter. Equipment Note: This fruitcake can also be prepared using 9x5-inch loaf pans. If using other types of pans, lightly grease and line with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together over medium-high speed for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating just until each egg is incorporated. The mixture will look slightly broken, that's ok.
• Over low speed, slowly add the flour mixture until just absorbed. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Add the lemon zest, orange zest, fresh orange juice, grated apple, slivered almonds, diced candied ginger, soaked dried fruit mixture (along with any liquid if it hasn't already been absorbed), and chocoate (if using). Stir mixture with a large spatula, scraping the edges and bottom of the bowl several times, until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. It is a very thick, fruit heavy mixture.
• Transfer and divide the batter evenly among the loaf pans. Use an offset spatula to smooth the batter into an even layer. Set the loaf pans on the center rack, several inches apart from one another. Bake - rotating the pans halfway - for 75 to 90 minutes or until the batter is set and the tops are golden brown. The edges of the cake may also start to pull away slightly from the edges of the pan. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely before removing from the pans.
• Storing and Aging: Once the cake has cooled, carefully remove the cakes from the loaf pans and set upright. Soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in medium sherry or triple sec (*they should be lightly damp, not soaking wet when you wrap the cakes, so you may need to squeeze out any excess liquor). Wrap each cake tightly. Cover loafs with wax paper and foil before transferring to a large Ziploc bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 to 8 weeks (it can often last even longer). You can serve this cake right after it has cooled, but the flavors improve greatly with time (I recommend several days or up to a week, at minimum). Unwrap and re-soak the cheesecloth once a week.
• For Garnishing: If desired, you can top the fruitcake with a light apricot glaze and whole pecans before serving. Note: I don't recommend glazing the cake if you wish to continue to wrap and age the fruitcake. To Prepare the Glaze: Combine the apricot preserves and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a light simmer, stirring until the glaze is shiny and thin. If it is too thin for glazing, reduce to desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of water. Brush the tops of the fruitcakes with apricot glaze and garnish with whole pecans.
• Serving Notes: Slice fruit cake with a serrated knife. Serve on its own or spread with a small amount of salted butter.

OLD FASHIONED BOILED FRUIT CAKE - SUPER MOIST!!

Steps:

• Start by dicing the fruits. Place fruit, butter, sugar and water in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil over medium heat and then simmer for two minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile sieve the dry ingredients, lightly beat the eggs and prepare a 7 inch cake pan by lining the outside with aluminium foil and inside with a parchment paper ring. Set this aside.
• Once the boiled fruit mixture is cooled. add lightly whisked eggs, golden syrup, lemon and orange zest. Fold gently. Then add the sieved dry ingredients and mix to form a cake batter.
• Transfer it to the prepared pan and smoothen the top.
• In your preheated oven of 150°C, place an inverted cookie tray. Place the cake pan on top of this tray in the center of the oven. Bake for 65 to 80 mins or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. It took me 70 mins.
• Let it cool in the tin for 10 mins and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
• Once cooled glaze with apricot glaze and sprinkle with nut and seed mixture or keep it plain.

GRANDMA'S MOLASSES FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°. Grease and flour three 9x5-in. loaf pans. Line bottoms with waxed paper; grease and flour the paper. Combine currants, raisins, walnuts, candied citron and 1/4 cup flour. Toss to coat; set aside., Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. In another bowl, whisk baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and remaining flour; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee. Stir into currant mixture and mix well., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 days to blend flavors. Slice and bring to room temperature before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

OLD-FASHIONED FRESH FRUIT CAKE (SWEDISH)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 175°C (or 350°F).
• Butter and flour a spring form pan.
• Cover the bottom with baking parchment and clip on the ring.
• Sift together flour, baking powder and vanilla into a bowl and set aside.
• Slice the fruit of your choice and toss in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
• Cream eggs and sugar until yellow and fluffy.
• Put buttermilk and butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Take it of the heat.
• Pour the liquid into the egg batter and blend together.
• Stir in the flour mixture to the batter, carefully.
• Pour a little batter in the bottom of the pan just to coat it.
• Arrange the fruit slices to coat the bottom of the pan.
• Pour in the remaining batter.
• Sprinkle the top with a thin coating of sugar.
• Bake for about 50 minutes try with a stick to see if it comes out clean.
• Let it cool slightly and run a knife around the edges; open the ring and let cool completely.
• Enjoy as is or with ice cream!

MOIST FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Place dried fruit, golden syrup, brandy and rind in a large bowl cover and stand overnight.
• Grease a deep 20cm square cake pan, line with 3 layers of paper, allow paper to come 5cm above the sides of the pan.
• Cream butter and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until creamy, Add eggs one at a time, beat well between each addition. The mixture may curdle but this will not affect the end result.
• Add soaked fruit, flour and mixed spice to butter mixture and mix thoroughly.
• Spoon mixture into pan and drop pan onto bench to settle contents.
• Bake at 140°C for 4 hours turning pan a quarter turn several times through the cooking time to allow it to cook evenly,.
• If the cake starts to over brown on top, cover lightly with foil.
• Remove cake from oven when cooked and brush top with extra brandy, allow to cool in pan.
• When cool remove from pan and wrap in clear plastic and store in a airtight tin or wrap in foil.

WHITE FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• Chop pineapple, raisins, and cherries. Combine chopped fruit with currants, orange peel, and citron; soak in orange juice overnight.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Place a small pan of water in the oven. Line one 5x9 inch loaf pan and two 3x8 inch loaf pans with parchment or doubled waxed paper.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioner's sugar. Stir in beaten egg yolks. Stir in fruit, juice, and pecans. Mix in sifted flour.
• In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites to peaks. Fold into batter. Fill pans 2/3 full.
• Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until golden brown, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted.