Moist & Magical Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Nestled in the heart of traditional baking, this boiled fruit cake recipe carries whispers of nostalgia and warmth.

Grandmothers across generations have crafted this delightful dessert with love and precision.

Ingredients simmer and blend, creating a rich tapestry of flavors that dance on your palate.

Moist crumbs tell stories of comfort and connection, inviting you to experience a slice of culinary heritage.

Robust spices and tender fruits intermingle, promising a delectable journey through taste and tradition.

Each forkful promises a moment of pure, unadulterated joy that connects you to cherished memories.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of this timeless treat.

Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake Ingredient List

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a rich caramelized flavor.
• Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cake.

• Dried Fruits, Mixed Peel: Offer natural sweetness and chewy texture to the cake.
• Walnuts: Provide a crunchy element and nutty flavor.

• Milk, Butter: Create a moist and tender cake base.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a soft crumb.
• Spice: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the cake.

Making Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake At Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Grab an 8-inch cake tin and line it with parchment paper. Set your oven to preheat at 160 degrees Celsius (325 degrees Fahrenheit).

Step 2: Create Fruity Boiling Mixture

• Sugar
• Milk
• Butter
• Dried fruits
• Citrus peel
• Chopped walnuts
• Warming spices
• Baking soda

Bring this mixture to a rolling boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.

Step 3: Incorporate Binding Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Eggs

Stir gently until everything blends smoothly and creates a consistent batter.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared cake tin. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit) and continue baking for another 1.5 hours.

Step 5: Cool and Rest

After baking, let the cake rest in the tin for 5 minutes. Carefully turn it out onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.

Step 6: Store and Enhance Flavor

Wrap the cooled cake in aluminum foil. For best results, let it sit for a few days before serving, as the flavors will develop and become more rich and complex.

Tips To Nail Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake

• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of brandy or rum to the boiling mixture for a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Prevent Fruit Sinking: Toss dried fruits in a little flour before adding to the mixture to help them distribute evenly throughout the cake.
• Moisture Magic: Wrap the cooled cake in parchment paper and then foil to lock in moisture and enhance its softness over time.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend to make the cake suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Storage Success: Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

Different Ways To Do Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk, and replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cake's moisture.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Remove walnuts and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies.

Pair Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake With These

• Pair Sweet Spiced Wine: Select a rich, sweet dessert wine like port or Madeira that complements the cake's fruity and spicy profile, enhancing the deep caramelized flavors.
• Serve Creamy Vanilla Custard: Drizzle a smooth, velvety vanilla custard alongside the cake to balance its dense texture and provide a luxurious counterpoint to the fruit and nut elements.
• Match Aromatic Earl Grey Tea: Brew a hot cup of Earl Grey tea with its bergamot notes to cut through the cake's richness and refresh the palate with its delicate citrusy undertones.
• Garnish with Cinnamon Cream: Top the cake slice with a dollop of lightly spiced cinnamon whipped cream to echo the cake's warm spice notes and add a light, airy contrast.

How To Store Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake The Easy Way

• Store cake in an airtight container wrapped in foil for up to 5 days, keeping moisture and freshness intact.
• Slice cake, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Keeps well for 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep cake at room temperature in sealed container for 2-3 days, ideal for maintaining soft, moist consistency.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in oven at 150C for 5-7 minutes to restore original warmth and soft texture.

Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake Questions Explained

• Why do I boil the ingredients before baking?

Boiling helps blend flavors, soften fruits, and create a rich, moist texture in the cake by allowing ingredients to meld together before mixing with flour and eggs.

• Can I substitute the fruits in the recipe?

Yes, you can use dried fruits like raisins, currants, or mixed dried fruit. Ensure they are similar in weight to maintain the cake’s moisture and consistency.

• What makes this cake different from other fruit cakes?

This method of boiling ingredients first is unique, creating a more integrated flavor profile and ensuring fruits are plump and well-distributed throughout the cake.

• Is this cake suitable for people who don't like very sweet desserts?

The boiling process balances sweetness, and you can adjust sugar levels slightly to create a less sweet version that still maintains the cake’s rich, fruity character.

Reasons To Try Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake

• Simplify Baking: This recipe transforms complex cake-making into a straightforward, foolproof process by boiling ingredients first, reducing potential mistakes for novice bakers.
• Maximize Flavor Development: Boiling fruits and spices before baking intensifies their natural sweetness and creates deeper, more complex taste profiles that improve with resting time.
• Budget-Friendly Dessert: Utilizing common pantry ingredients like fruits, nuts, and basic baking staples makes this cake an economical option for home cooks wanting delicious treats without expensive components.
• Versatile Serving Option: Perfect for multiple occasions from casual family gatherings to afternoon tea, this cake's rich, moist texture ensures it will be a crowd-pleasing dessert that suits various settings.

Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful boiled fruit cake brings Irish culinary traditions to life with rich, moist layers packed with dried fruits and warm spices. Comforting and deeply satisfying, this classic dessert invites you to savor a slice of heritage in every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits and Nuts:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) candied mixed fruit
• 5 ounces (140 grams) glace cherries, chopped
• 2 ounces (56 grams) candied citrus peel
• 2 ounces (56 grams) chopped walnuts

Baking Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (340 grams) white sugar
• 12 ounces (340 grams) self-rising flour, sifted
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) butter
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
• 2 large eggs

Spices and Leavening:

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

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Instructions

1. Combine sugar, milk, butter, dried fruits, citrus peel, walnuts, spices, and baking soda in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and soften.
2. Remove boiled mixture from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes until slightly tepid, ensuring no intense heat remains.
3. Gently fold flour into the cooled mixture, creating a smooth, uniform batter without overmixing.
4. Incorporate eggs into the batter, stirring until fully integrated and achieving a consistent texture.
5. Prepare an 8-inch cake tin with parchment lining to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
6. Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F), creating an ideal baking environment for the dense cake.
7. Transfer batter into prepared tin, smoothing the surface for even baking.
8. Bake initially for 40 minutes at the preset temperature.
9. Reduce oven temperature to 150°C (300°F) and continue baking for an additional 1.5 hours until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
10. Allow cake to rest in tin for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack.
11. Cool completely at room temperature, allowing cake to set and develop deeper flavors.
12. Wrap cake in foil for optimal moisture retention; flavor improves after 2-3 days of resting.

Notes

• Fruit selection matters hugely for this cake’s success, so choose ripe, plump dried fruits like sultanas, currants, and mixed peel for maximum flavor depth.
• Precise boiling time is crucial – exactly 5 minutes helps meld flavors without burning ingredients and creates a rich, moist cake texture.
• Adjust baking temperature gradually to prevent burning while ensuring even, deep cooking throughout the dense cake’s interior.
• Consider dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk or plant-based butter for those with dietary restrictions, which won’t compromise the cake’s traditional rich taste.

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hour 55 mins
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 1134 kcal
• Sugar: 157 g
• Sodium: 377 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 173 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 187 mg