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Best Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe: Homemade Festive Dessert Made Simple

A timeless festive classic, this traditional Christmas fruit cake combines rich spices, succulent dried fruits, and a tender, moist crumb—perfect for the holiday table.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup mixed dried fruit cherries, pineapple, apricots
  • ½ cup walnuts or pecans chopped
  • ¼ cup candied green cherries halved
  • ¼ cup candied red cherries halved

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a loaf or bundt pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry mix. Mix just until combined.
  6. Fold in the dried fruits and nuts gently using a spatula.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and decorate with red and green candied cherries.
  8. Bake for 70–80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Store wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Flavors improve after 2–3 days as they meld together.