Simple & Sweet: The Easy Fruit Cake Recipe Everyone Loves

Whipping up a delightful fruit cake becomes effortless with this simple, foolproof method.

Colorful dried fruits and nuts add vibrant textures to every slice.

Sweet aromas will drift through your kitchen as the cake bakes slowly.

Pantry staples combine magically to create a dessert that surprises and delights.

Mixing ingredients requires minimal skill, making this recipe perfect for baking novices.

Warm spices infuse each bite with comforting memories of cozy afternoons.

Slice into this delectable treat and savor the pure, homemade goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake

• Can I use fresh fruits instead of dried fruits?

Fresh fruits have higher water content and might make the cake too wet. Stick to dried fruits like raisins, currants, or mixed dried fruit for the best texture and consistent results.

• What if I don't have a microwave to soak the fruits?

You can soak the dried fruits in hot water or warm juice on the stovetop for 1 hour instead. This helps soften the fruits and enhance their flavor.

• How do I know the cake is fully baked?

Insert a skewer or thin knife into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done. The top should also be golden brown and slightly firm to touch.

Why Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake Is So Loved

• Savor Stress-Free Baking: This fruit cake recipe eliminates complicated techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.
• Transform Simple Ingredients: Minimal pantry staples create a rich, moist cake that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, proving gourmet results don't require complex shopping.
• Customize with Creativity: Swap dried fruits, experiment with spice blends, or add nuts to personalize the cake, turning a basic recipe into your signature dessert that reflects individual taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or weekend treats, this cake offers a nostalgic warmth that connects people through delicious, homemade goodness.

What’s in Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake

• Dried Fruit: A mix of sweet and tangy dried fruits that adds moisture and rich flavor to the cake.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus notes that enhance the overall taste of the cake.
• Orange Juice: Provides additional moisture and depth of citrus flavor.

• Flour: The main structure and foundation of the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cake's texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the other flavors in the cake.
• Spices: Warm spices that create a complex and comforting flavor profile.

• Butter, Eggs, Vanilla: Classic binding ingredients that provide richness, moisture, and depth to the cake.

How to Make Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake

Step 1: Hydrate Dried Fruit Medley

Gather a collection of dried fruits like raisins, currants, and sultanas. Add citrus zest and fresh juice to the fruits. Place the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl and heat twice for one minute. Cover the bowl and allow the fruits to soak and plump up for a full hour, letting them absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to warm up at 150°C for fan ovens or 170°C for conventional ovens. Take an 8-inch round cake pan and line it carefully with parchment paper. Lightly grease the paper to ensure easy cake removal later.

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg
• Baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re perfectly integrated.

Step 4: Melt Butter Gently

Slowly melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Allow it to cool slightly so it won’t scramble the eggs when added.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

Pour the cooled melted butter into the dry ingredient mixture. Add vanilla extract and eggs. Stir everything together until a smooth batter forms.

Step 6: Incorporate Soaked Fruits

Gently fold the plumped-up fruit mixture into the cake batter. Include any remaining liquid from soaking to enhance moisture and flavor.

Step 7: Transfer to Baking Pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly and create a smooth surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place the cake in the preheated oven. Bake for one hour, then cover with aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Check cake doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean. Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your delectable homemade fruit cake!

Tips for Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake Success

• Prevent Sinking Fruits: Toss fruit pieces in a little flour before folding into batter to ensure they stay evenly distributed during baking.
• Check Moisture Level: Use the skewer test carefully – a few moist crumbs are okay, but wet batter means more baking time is needed.
• Enhance Spice Depth: Toast ground spices briefly in a dry pan before mixing to release their essential oils and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Store Smart: Wrap cooled cake tightly in parchment and foil to maintain moisture, and it will stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature.

Creative Spins on Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake

• Gluten-Free Fruit Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Fruit Cake: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use plant-based butter alternative.
• Low-Sugar Fruit Cake: Swap sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sugar content.
• Spiced Rum Fruit Cake: Add dark rum to fruit soaking liquid for deeper, richer flavor profile.

What Pairs with Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake

• Pair with Spiced Rum Toddy: Warm, boozy drink complements the cake's rich fruitiness, enhancing winter comfort and bringing out deeper spice notes.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Custard: Creamy, smooth sauce adds luxurious texture and balances the cake's dense, fruity profile, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Match with Aged Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy cheese provides a delightful contrast to the cake's sweetness, offering a sophisticated flavor combination that delights the palate.
• Accompany with Earl Grey Tea: Fragrant, bergamot-infused tea cuts through the cake's richness, cleansing the palate and adding an elegant British touch to the dessert.

Storing Mary Berry Easy Fruit Cake Properly

• Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep cake in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Slice cake into portions, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep cake in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place a piece of bread next to the cake to help retain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For oven reheating, wrap slice in foil and warm at 150C for 5-10 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavor.

Easy Fruit Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent Fruit Cake brings together classic flavors in a delightful dessert that celebrates seasonal produce. Sweet dried fruits and warm spices create a perfect companion for afternoon tea or elegant gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 600 grams (21.16 ounces) dried fruit
• 3 large eggs
• 230 grams (8.11 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
• 210 grams (7.41 ounces) plain flour
• 190 grams (6.70 ounces) brown sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 160 milliliters (5.41 fluid ounces) apple juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange

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Instructions

1. Combine dried fruit, citrus zest, and juice in a mixing vessel. Apply microwave heat for 1-minute intervals, twice. Drape with cover and allow fruit to macerate for 60 minutes.
2. Configure oven temperature to 150°C fan / 170°C conventional. Prepare an 8-inch circular baking pan by lining and greasing its interior.
3. Integrate dry components: flour, granulated sugar, aromatic spices, leavening agent, and seasoning in a comprehensive mixing bowl.
4. Delicately liquefy butter, permitting slight temperature reduction.
5. Incorporate melted butter, fragrant vanilla extract, and eggs into the dry mixture. Blend thoroughly until uniform consistency emerges.
6. Gently introduce macerated fruit and residual liquid, folding with minimal disruption to maintain airiness.
7. Transfer batter into prepared pan, ensuring even distribution and smoothing surface with a spatula.
8. Position pan in preheated oven. Bake for initial 60 minutes, then shield with aluminum foil and continue baking for additional 30 minutes.
9. Verify cake’s readiness by inserting a slender skewer – it should emerge clean. Allow brief resting in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack for complete temperature equilibration.

Notes

• Soak fruits thoroughly to ensure maximum moisture and rich flavor absorption, preventing dryness in the final cake.
• Adjust spice levels according to personal taste preferences, experimenting with cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for unique flavor profiles.
• Replace some dried fruits with nuts like almonds or walnuts for added texture and nutritional variety, making the cake more interesting.
• Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the cake’s traditional soft and dense texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Western

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 405
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg