This rich and flavorful Old-Fashioned Fruit Cake is a moist and spiced holiday classic, loaded with plump raisins, cranberries, candied fruit, and crunchy nuts. Enhanced with warm spices, citrus, and a hint of maple or rum extract, it’s the perfect festive centerpiece for your dessert table—or to gift as a homemade treat. Bake once, enjoy for days!

Why You’ll Love This Fruit Cake

Perfectly moist and never dry
Naturally sweetened with dried fruits and a touch of molasses
Packed with festive flavors and warming spices
Ideal for holiday gift-giving or freezing ahead
Customizable with your favorite fruit and nut combos

Ingredients Breakdown

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks): Adds richness and structure to the cake.
1 ½ cups white granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light texture.
2 teaspoons vanilla essence: Adds aromatic depth.
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice: Brightens the flavor with a citrus note.
2 tablespoons milk: Helps loosen the batter and adds moisture.
5 large eggs: Provide structure and richness.
1 teaspoon maple or rum extract: Deepens the flavor with a warm, aromatic tone.
1/8 cup molasses, honey, or maple syrup: Adds moisture and a rich, complex sweetness.

Dry Ingredients:

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Gives the cake a gentle rise.
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base structure of the cake.
1 teaspoon sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Together, these spices create that cozy, nostalgic holiday flavor.

Fruits & Nuts:

2 cups sweetened dried cranberries
2 cups raisins
2 cups mixed candied fruit
½ cup finely chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans): Adds texture and crunch.

Tips and Tricks

Soak your raisins or candied fruit in orange juice or rum overnight for extra richness
Let the cake rest for 24 hours before slicing—flavors intensify over time
Toast the nuts before adding for added crunch and aroma
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil to store or freeze

Variations and Customizations

Tropical Twist: Add diced dried pineapple, mango, or coconut
Boozy Option: Brush baked cake with brandy or rum before wrapping
Nut-Free Version: Skip the nuts or use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower
Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend

Pairing Suggestions

Serve with whipped cream, cream cheese frosting, or vanilla ice cream
Add a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze for an elegant finish

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store tightly wrapped for up to 3 days
Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 1 week
Freezer: Wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving

Old-Fashioned Fruit Cake

Author: easysweetmeal
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 10–12 slices 1x

Print Recipe

Description

A moist, spiced holiday classic packed with raisins, cranberries, candied fruit, nuts, and a hint of citrus or rum. Perfect for gifting or savoring!

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tbsp milk
5 large eggs
1 tsp maple or rum extract
1½ tsp baking powder
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
1/8 cup molasses (or honey/maple syrup)
2 cups sweetened dried cranberries
2 cups raisins
2 cups mixed candied fruit
½ cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan or an 8×8-inch square tin with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
This step is key to a tender, airy cake texture.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the vanilla, orange juice, and milk.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in maple or rum extract for added depth.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and all the spices.
Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet until just combined—don’t overmix.

Step 5: Add Fruits, Nuts & Molasses

Stir in the molasses (or honey/maple syrup) to enrich the flavor.
Fold in the cranberries, raisins, candied fruit, and nuts gently to avoid breaking them.

Step 6: Bake

Pour batter into the prepared pan and tap gently to remove air bubbles.
Bake for 90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cake cool completely in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
Slice thick and serve with coffee, tea, or a splash of brandy for extra holiday cheer

Notes

This classic fruit cake recipe is proof that old-fashioned holiday desserts still reign supreme. Sweet, spiced, and surprisingly simple to make, it’s ideal for celebrations—or as a thoughtful, homemade edible gift.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 90 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American