Oh, let me tell you about the absolute joy of making boiled fruit cake! This dessert has such a rich history, often passed down through generations, and every bite is bursting with flavor. I remember my grandmother would whip this up every holiday season, filling the house with the warm, inviting scent of spices and sweet fruits. There’s something magical about boiling the fruits beforehand—it makes the cake incredibly moist and infuses it with such depth of flavor. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved classic. It’s like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying all to yourself!
Ingredients for Boiled Fruit Cake
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this delightful boiled fruit cake. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (I love using a blend of raisins, currants, and chopped apricots)
- 1 cup water (for boiling the fruits)
- 1/2 cup sugar (to sweeten the cake just right)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened for easy mixing)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for that perfect cake structure)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (to help it rise)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for warmth and spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to enhance all those wonderful flavors)
- 2 eggs (for binding everything together)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (because who doesn’t love a hint of vanilla?)
Make sure your fruits are nice and mixed, and don’t hesitate to get creative with your favorites! This cake is all about personal touches.
How to Prepare Boiled Fruit Cake
Now, let’s get into the fun part—making this delicious boiled fruit cake! The process is quite simple, and I promise it’ll be worth every minute spent. Here’s how to do it:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by bringing the mixed dried fruits and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Let them boil for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial as it softens the fruits and makes the cake super moist.
- Once boiled, drain the fruits and set them aside to cool. You’ll want them at room temperature before adding them to the batter.
- While the fruits cool, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot enough for baking once we get to that stage.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes—don’t rush it!
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. It’s important to mix these dry ingredients well to distribute the baking soda and spices evenly.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined—be careful not to overmix!
- Finally, gently fold in the cooled boiled fruits until they’re evenly distributed in the batter.
- Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it! Your beautiful boiled fruit cake is just around the corner, ready to be enjoyed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and flavorful: The boiled fruits bring incredible moisture and rich flavors that make every slice irresistible.
- Traditional and comforting: This cake has been loved for generations, making it a perfect treat for family gatherings and holidays.
- Easy to make: With simple steps and straightforward ingredients, you’ll be whipping this cake up in no time!
- Great for sharing: It’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or just to brighten someone’s day with a homemade gift.
- Versatile with optional nuts: Feel free to toss in your favorite nuts for added texture and crunch—walnuts or pecans work wonderfully!
Tips for Success
To elevate your boiled fruit cake to the next level, here are some of my top tips! First, use high-quality dried fruits; they really make a difference in flavor. I always go for organic when I can! When creaming your butter and sugar, take your time—this step adds air, making the cake lighter and fluffier. Also, be gentle when folding in the flour and boiled fruits; you want to keep that lovely texture, so mix until just combined. And remember, every oven is different, so keep an eye on the cake as it bakes. If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can always tent it with foil. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for a slice of my delicious boiled fruit cake. Each slice contains about 250 calories, with 10 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. You’ll also find approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates, including 15 grams of sugar. Remember, these are just estimates, and the actual numbers may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. Enjoy every bite guilt-free!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your boiled fruit cake properly is key to keeping it moist and delicious! Once it’s completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about 3-4 days, but trust me, it only gets better with time! If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. No need to reheat—just slice and savor the goodness!
FAQ Section
Got questions about boiled fruit cake? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common ones I often hear:
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
While I love the depth of flavor from dried fruits, you can definitely experiment with fresh fruits. Just make sure to adjust the liquids in your recipe to account for the moisture they bring!
What can I substitute for sugar?
If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, consider using honey or maple syrup. Just keep in mind that these will add a bit of extra moisture, so you might need to tweak your dry ingredients a little.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
No problem! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Just make sure it’s a 1:1 substitute and check for any added ingredients that might impact the texture.
What’s the best way to serve this cake?
This cake is fantastic on its own, but if you want to dress it up a bit, try serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It adds a lovely touch!
Can I add spices or other flavors?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative. A pinch of ginger or a splash of orange juice can really elevate the flavors. This cake is all about making it yours!
Boiled Fruit Cake: 7 Steps to Comforting Bliss
- Gesamtzeit: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Ertrag: 1 cake 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
A moist and flavorful cake made with boiled fruits.
Zutaten
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Anweisungen
- Boil the mixed dried fruits in water for 15 minutes.
- Drain and let the fruits cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together butter and sugar until light.
- Add eggs and vanilla, then mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in the boiled fruits.
- Pour the batter into a greased cake pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
- Store the cake in an airtight container.
- It tastes better after a day.
- You can add nuts for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 50 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: Traditional
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 slice
- Kalorien: 250
- Zucker: 15g
- Natrium: 150mg
- Fett: 10g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 5g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 35g
- Faser: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterin: 50mg
Keywords: boiled fruit cake, dessert, baking
