Classic Homemade Fruit Cake Packed with Colorful Dried Fruits and Nuts
There is something truly special about a homemade fruit cake that no store-bought version can ever replicate. Bursting with vibrant dried fruits, candied cherries, apricots, cranberries, raisins, and topped with crunchy pine nuts, this gorgeous cake is dense, moist, and absolutely full of flavor. Whether you bake it for the holidays or simply as a weekend treat, this fruit cake is bound to become a staple in your kitchen.
What you see here is a beautifully golden, jewel-studded loaf that has been sliced to reveal its stunning interior — a mosaic of colorful fruits suspended in a tender, lightly sweetened crumb. Let’s walk through how to make this incredible cake from scratch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange juice or brandy
- 1/2 cup candied red cherries, halved
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup diced dried apricots
- 1/2 cup raisins or sultanas
- 1/2 cup mixed candied peel
- 1/2 cup green candied cherries or pineapple chunks
- 1/3 cup pine nuts or mixed nuts
- Extra nuts for topping
