Never Fail Fruit Cake (Old-Fashioned Style)

Never Fail Old-Fashioned Fruit Cake on a festive table
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Why Make This Recipe

Never Fail Fruit Cake is a delightful dessert that brings back memories of old-fashioned celebrations. It’s rich, flavorful, and packed with fruits and nuts, making it a great treat for holidays or special occasions. The best part? It lives up to its name—this recipe is easy to follow, ensuring you get a perfect cake every time.

How to Make Never Fail Fruit Cake

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mixed dried fruits
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup brandy or rum

Directions:

  1. Assemble all ingredients on a clean workspace.
  2. Measure and chop dried fruits and nuts into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Soften butter at room temperature for easy creaming.
  4. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
  5. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition.
  7. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
  8. Gradually mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients, alternating with orange juice.
  9. Gently fold in dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.
  10. Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  11. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  12. Bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

How to Serve Never Fail Fruit Cake

Once your Never Fail Fruit Cake is baked and cooled, slice it and serve it as is, or add a dusting of powdered sugar for a nice touch. It’s perfect with a hot cup of tea or coffee and is sure to impress your family and friends!

How to Store Never Fail Fruit Cake

To keep your fruit cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It also freezes well, so you can wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and keep them in the freezer for up to three months. Just remember to thaw them in the fridge before enjoying!

Tips to Make Never Fail Fruit Cake

  1. Use a mix of your favorite dried fruits for a more personalized flavor.
  2. Make sure to chop the nuts and fruits into similar sizes for even distribution in the cake.
  3. Avoid opening the oven door while baking to ensure the cake cooks evenly.

Variation

Consider adding spices like ginger or allspice for an extra kick. You can also use different liquors like whiskey or omit the alcohol altogether for a kid-friendly version.

FAQs

Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?
It’s best to stick with dried fruits for this recipe as they have the right texture and sweetness. Fresh fruits have too much moisture, which can affect the cake’s structure.

How long will the cake last?
If stored properly in an airtight container, the cake can last for about a week at room temperature and up to three months in the freezer.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this cake often tastes better after a few days as the flavors meld together. Make it ahead of time and let it sit wrapped in foil or plastic wrap.

Never Fail Old-Fashioned Fruit Cake on a festive table

Never Fail Fruit Cake

A delightful and rich fruit cake packed with dried fruits and nuts, perfect for holidays and special occasions.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened at room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup brandy or rum for added flavor
Fruits and Nuts
  • 2 cups mixed dried fruits
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Assemble all ingredients on a clean workspace.
  2. Measure and chop dried fruits and nuts into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Soften butter at room temperature for easy creaming.
  4. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
Mixing
  1. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition.
  3. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
  4. Gradually mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients, alternating with orange juice.
  5. Gently fold in dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.
Baking
  1. Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  3. Bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Serving
  1. Once your Never Fail Fruit Cake is baked and cooled, slice it and serve it as is, or add a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

For best storage, keep in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze slices for up to three months.

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Pro Chef & Blogger

My name is James Walker, and I’m the founder and lead recipe developer at Smile Food. With over 7 years of professional culinary experience, I’ve cooked in diverse kitchens, studied global cuisines, and developed a passion for making cooking accessible to everyone.

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