Description
Indulgent fruit cake loaf promises a delightful journey through classic baking traditions. Packed with rich dried fruits and warm spices, this treat delivers comfort and nostalgia in every delectable slice you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Dried Fruits:
- 1 cup glace cherries, quartered
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 3/4 cup mixed glace fruit (or glace mixed peel)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 2/3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (8 ounces or 250 grams) cream cheese
- 1/3 cup butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 325F (160C) and prepare the loaf tin with grease and parchment lining.
- Slice cherries into quarters and combine with raisins and citrus peel, setting the mixture aside for later use.
- Separate 2 tablespoons of flour for coating the fruit, then blend remaining flour with leavening agent and seasoning.
- Whip butter, granulated sweetener, and soft cheese until light and airy, creating a smooth base.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure uniform integration.
- Blend vanilla and almond flavor essences into the creamy mixture.
- Delicately fold dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, maintaining a soft texture.
- Dust prepared fruit with reserved flour, then gently fold into the batter.
- Transfer batter to the prepared tin, carefully smoothing the surface for even baking.
- Bake for 1 hour 20-30 minutes, checking doneness with a testing skewer that should emerge clean when inserted.
- Allow cake to rest in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, wrap securely and store in an airtight container; suitable for freezing.
Notes
- Dust cherries, raisins, and peel with flour before adding to batter to prevent sinking during baking.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and consistent texture throughout the fruit cake loaf.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
- Enhance flavor by soaking dried fruits in rum or brandy overnight before incorporating into the batter for a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 234 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg