Fruit Cake

I have never tried to make a fruit cake before, but thought I’d have a go seeing as it’s the perfect time of year for it. The lovely plump fruit and mixed spice is a perfect Autumn treat.

I found this recipe from https://everydaycooks.co.uk/everyday-fruit-cake/ and it uses mostly cupboard essentials. One thing I did realise though, is that I desperately need to invest in proper cake and loaf tins as silicone ones are really no good, as you will see.

Ingredients

400 g mixed dried fruit (I happened to have presoaked- but either is fine)
125 g butter at room temperature
3 large eggs
60 ml milk, (4 tablespoons)
1 rounded tablespoon jam (any flavour)
125 g soft brown sugar dark or light – see note
250 g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons mixed spice (10ml)

1- Pre-heat oven to 170c. I used a silicone loaf pan, but I would recommend a metal one. Grease or line with baking paper. Put the fruit aside for last.

2- Mix all ingredients Except Fruit together in a bowl. Beat using an electric mixer. Scrape down the sides, and beat again until smooth.

3- Add the fruit and stir in by hand.

4- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 1hr 15min. Test with a toothpick to see if it is cooked through. Ovens vary and mine cooked in 1hr, so keep an eye on it.

Unfortunately my silicone pan, has very little structure to it, and it came out not looking much in the shape of a loaf, as you can see 😂:

Well the presentation wasn’t great, but it tastesd lovely, and goes great with a brew. (Excuse the festive mug)

Apart from the fruit cake, I have been cooking and canning 10 tonnes (ok not quite) of apples. So I may have a go at making some sweet pastry and make an apple pie.