Candied Fruit Cake

Recipe Overview 🍽️

History of the Recipe ✍️

Candied fruit cake has its origins in European traditions, particularly in England and Italy, where candied fruits are used in many festive pastries. This cake is especially popular during Christmas and large occasions due to its ability to keep well for several days, or even weeks.

Ingredients 🛒

listed in the order of use in the procedure:

• 200 g of candied fruits (cherries, pineapple, orange, lemon, etc.)
• 100 g of raisins
• 200 g of flour
• 100 g of sugar
• 100 g of melted butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 tablespoon of rum (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Steps (How to Make ) 🥣

1. Prepare the fruits: If necessary, chop the candied fruits into small pieces. Mix them with the raisins and a small amount of flour (about 1 tablespoon) to lightly coat them. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.
2. Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes frothy. Add the melted butter, vanilla, and rum, then mix well.
3. Incorporate the dry ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into another bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until you have a smooth batter.
4. Add the fruits: Gently fold the candied fruits and floured raisins into the batter.
5. Baking: Pour the batter into a greased and floured pan, then bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cooling and Unmolding: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Chef Tips 👨‍🍳

• For a richer flavor, let the cake rest for 24 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to develop further.
• You can add nuts (such as pecans or almonds) for extra crunch.
• If you prefer not to use alcohol, replace the rum with orange juice or orange blossom water.

Possible Variations 🎭

• Replace the traditional candied fruits with fresh fruits or dried fruits, such as apricots or figs, for a different flavor.
• Add a sugar glaze or a layer of melted chocolate on top for a sweet touch.

Bake Time 🔥

Baking a Candied Fruit Cake takes about 45 to 50 minutes at 180°C (350°F), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This ensures that the cake is cooked through, allowing the flavors of the candied fruits to meld beautifully with the batter. The result is a rich, moist cake with a delightful texture, perfect for holiday celebrations or special occasions.

How to Store 🥡

Food and Drink Pairings 🥂

Candied fruit cake pairs well with spiced black tea. For coffee lovers, it goes perfectly with a strong cup of coffee.

Presentation Suggestion 🍽️

Present the cake on an elegant platter, decorated with fresh fruit or some pieces of candied fruit to echo the main ingredients. You can also lightly dust it with powdered sugar before serving.

Why It’s Healthy 💚

Although this cake is a treat, the candied fruits in Candied Fruit Cake provide a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. You can also reduce the sugar amount by using less sweet candied fruits.