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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Remove boiled mixture from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes until slightly tepid, ensuring no intense heat remains.
- Gently fold flour into the cooled mixture, creating a smooth, uniform batter without overmixing.
- Incorporate eggs into the batter, stirring until fully integrated and achieving a consistent texture.
- Prepare an 8-inch cake tin with parchment lining to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F), creating an ideal baking environment for the dense cake.
- Transfer batter into prepared tin, smoothing the surface for even baking.
- Bake initially for 40 minutes at the preset temperature.
- Reduce oven temperature to 150°C (300°F) and continue baking for an additional 1.5 hours until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Allow cake to rest in tin for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack.
- Cool completely at room temperature, allowing cake to set and develop deeper flavors.
- 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