Best 7 Nanas Dark Fruit Cake Recipes

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**Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake: A Culinary Journey Through Tradition and Taste**

Indulge in a delectable journey with Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake, a timeless classic that embodies the essence of tradition and taste. This cherished recipe, passed down through generations, captivates the senses with its rich, moist texture, symphony of flavors, and captivating aroma. Embark on a culinary adventure as we unveil the secrets behind this beloved cake, exploring variations and offering tips to elevate your baking experience. Discover the magic of Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake, a true testament to the enduring power of culinary heritage.

**Recipe 1: Nanas' Classic Dark Fruit Cake**
Embrace the authentic taste of Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake with this classic recipe. A harmonious blend of dried fruits, nuts, and spices dances on the palate, enveloped in a moist, velvety crumb. Detailed instructions guide you through every step, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

**Recipe 2: Nanas' Gluten-Free Dark Fruit Cake**
For those with dietary restrictions, Nanas' Gluten-Free Dark Fruit Cake offers a delightful alternative. This recipe reimagines the classic, crafting a delectable cake using gluten-free flour blends. Enjoy the same rich flavors and moist texture without compromising taste or tradition.

**Recipe 3: Nanas' Vegan Dark Fruit Cake**
Embark on a plant-based journey with Nanas' Vegan Dark Fruit Cake. This innovative recipe transforms the classic into a cruelty-free delight, using wholesome ingredients like flax eggs and plant-based milk. Experience the same decadent flavors and moist texture, all while embracing a compassionate lifestyle.

**Recipe 4: Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake with Rum Glaze**
Indulge in a boozy twist with Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake with Rum Glaze. This delectable variation elevates the classic with a luscious rum glaze, adding an extra layer of richness and depth of flavor. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this sophisticated and indulgent treat.

**Recipe 5: Nanas' Mini Dark Fruit Cakes**
Create a charming assortment of individual-sized treats with Nanas' Mini Dark Fruit Cakes. These bite-sized delights are perfect for parties, gift-giving, or simply enjoying a small indulgence. Follow the step-by-step guide to achieve perfectly portioned cakes with all the flavors and textures of the original.

**Additional Tips and Tricks:**

- Discover essential tips for achieving the perfect fruit-to-cake ratio, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors.

- Learn the art of proper storage to preserve the freshness and moistness of your Dark Fruit Cake.

- Explore creative presentation ideas to elevate your cakes and impress your guests.

- Uncover the fascinating history of Dark Fruit Cake and its significance in various cultures around the world.

Embark on a culinary journey with Nanas' Dark Fruit Cake, a testament to the enduring power of tradition and taste. With variations catering to different dietary preferences and creative twists adding an extra layer of delight, this timeless classic promises an unforgettable baking experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

NANA'S FRUIT CAKE...



Nana's Fruit Cake... image

my mom use to make this once a year. It was her cake she made.We all knew if my was making a cake this was it lol....

Provided by Vanessa "Nikita" Milare

Categories     Cakes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 c sugar
2 Tbsp butter, room temperature
1 c water
1 c apple juice
4 c cake flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
2 c raisins

Steps:

  • 1. Heat oven to 325F. Lightly grease & flour 2 loaf pans.
  • 2. In saucepan boil the first 4 ingredients.
  • 3. In medium bowl sift together the next 6 ingredients.
  • 4. After the liquid has fully cooled, add to dry ingredients & mix well.
  • 5. Add in the raisins. Make sure not to over brown the top of cake.
  • 6. bake for 30 to 3 mins. Cool on wore rack.

NANA'S JAPANESE FRUITCAKE



Nana's Japanese Fruitcake image

This twist on fruitcake will appeal to fruitcake lovers and haters alike.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
Unsalted butter for pans and parchment
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup pure vegetable shortening
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, finely chopped to equal one pound
4 navel oranges, peel and pith removed, segmented
2 coconuts, grated, or 3 cups unsweetened flaked coconut
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 recipe Seven-Minute Frosting
1 recipe Candied Orange Zest for Japanese Fruitcake

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees with racks placed in center. Spread nuts on a baking pan. Bake until fragrant, about 7 minutes. Transfer nuts to a bowl; set aside to cool.
  • Line the bottoms of three 8-by-2-inch buttered cake pans with parchment paper, and butter the parchment. Dust the bottoms and sides of pan with flour, and tap out any excess. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Finely chop the raisins, and combine with the cinnamon and allspice. Set aside.
  • With an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the sugar and shortening on medium speed until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the milk to the batter, alternating between the two, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
  • Fold the reserved raisin mixture into one-third of the batter. Pour batter into one cake pan. Stir the reserved toasted walnuts into the remaining batter. Divide batter between two remaining cake pans. Bake, rotating pans for even baking if necessary, until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks to cool, and invert cakes onto cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
  • Combine the pineapple, oranges, 2 cups coconut, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring filling to a boil over high heat, stirring. Reduce to a simmer, and let cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Whisk the cornstarch into 1/4 cup warm water. Stir into filling. Continue to cook until thick, 6 minutes. Let cool before using.
  • Place one walnut layer top-side down on the serving plate. Top with half of the filling. Place the raisin layer, top-side up, securely on top, press down lightly. Using an offset spatula, go around the layers to press filling between layers. Top with remaining filling. Place remaining walnut layer on top, top-side up. Press down with hands. Using the offset spatula, go around layers again to ensure filling is securely between layers. Frost the sides of the cake first, using an offset spatula. Finish icing the top of the cake. Decorate top of cake with drained candied orange zest and remaining coconut. Serve.

NAN'S BEST DARK FRUITCAKE:



Nan's Best Dark Fruitcake: image

Make and share this Nan's Best Dark Fruitcake: recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Tonkcats

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h30m

Yield 50 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 cups seedless raisins
3 cups sultana raisins
1 cup glace cherries, chopped
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup nuts, chopped, lightly toasted (that have been in the oven)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon mace
1 cup shortening
1 cup dark rum
6 eggs
1/3 cup jam (strawberry is best)
1/2 cup molasses

Steps:

  • With 3/4 cup of the dark rum, pour over chopped fruit and nuts. Cover and let soak for at least 48 hours. The fruit should be stirred once a day or so.
  • Keep remaining rum for after baking directions -- see below.
  • Stir flour, salt, baking soda and spices together Set aside.
  • In separate bowl, Cream shortening and brown sugar together till fluffy.
  • Add eggs and beat one at a time.
  • Add molasses, jam and mix well.
  • Blend in dry ingredients. Fold in fruit.
  • Prepare your round fruit cake pan by oiling and line pan with paper. Oil and flour again lightly.
  • Ensure the top of the paper is about 1 inch or so above the top of the pan.
  • Fill prepared pans 2/3 full.
  • Bake in a slow oven 300°F for 2 hours or so.
  • Place a shallow pan of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven during baking. This will ensure the cake stays moist. Remove this pan of water during the last hour of baking.
  • Cool completely before removing paper.
  • Storing and mellowing of fruit Cake: Wrap a cheese cloth that has been soaked in the remaining 1/4 cup of rum over the cake, covering it completely.
  • Next wrap the cake and cheesecloth in aluminum foil wrap.
  • Place in a cool place. Taste of cake is best when stored for 4 weeks or so! I've often brushed egg white over the cake, rolled out almond paste and laid it over the top and sides of cake. I then ice it. Everyone raves! NOTE: I've often doubled the recipe for a larger cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.9, Fat 6.2, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 25.4, Sodium 62.1, Carbohydrate 28.4, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 19.9, Protein 2.2

DARK FRUIT CAKE



Dark Fruit Cake image

Provided by Marion Cunningham

Categories     Cake     Citrus     Fruit     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Fall     Winter     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes two 9x5-inch loaves

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 pound butter, or 1/2 cup shortening
1 cup dark-brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups small pieces mixed candied fruit
1/2 cup small pieces candied citron
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter two 9x5-inch loaf pans, line them with foil, then butter the foil. Cream the butter or shortening, add the brown sugar, and beat until light. Add the lemon extract and eggs and beat well. Stir in the molasses and blend. Mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, mace, cloves, and salt; beat into the first mixture. Add the milk and beat until smooth. Stir in the candied fruit, citron, raisins, and pecans, and mix well. Spoon into the pans and bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn out onto racks to cool. When completely cool, wrap well and store in an airtight container.
  • Brandied Fruit Cake
  • Soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in brandy. Wrap each fruit cake in the cheesecloth, covering all sides, then wrap well in foil. Moisten the cheesecloth with additional brandy every few days for about a week. The brandy will flavor the cake and help preserve it too.

NAN'S BOILED FRUIT CAKE



Nan's Boiled Fruit Cake image

A Very Moist Fruit Cake - passed down from my nan

Provided by ijhawkins

Time 2h

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

BOILED FRUIT MIXTURE
4 oz Brown Sugar
8 oz margarine or butter
1lb mixed fruit
2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 Pint Milk
4 oz Glace Cherries
2 eggs beaten
2 oz chopped walnuts
12 oz Self Raising Flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Steps:

  • Place all the ingredients for the fruit mix in a large saucepan bring to the boil and allow to cool for about 30 minutes
  • Preheat oven to 160C / Gas 3
  • Add the cherries and nuts stir through
  • then add eggs and mix well, add the flour and fold through the mix.
  • Place the mixture in a greased and floured 8' - deep cake tin. Tie some greaseproof paper around the outside of the tin so that the paper comes over the edges of the tin or optionally place over the top about half way through baking. Bake for 2 hours but check after 1.5 hours , check to see if cooked throughly with a skewer. If not bake a little further until the skewer comes out clean from the cake. Allow to cool and either decorate with marzipan and royal icing, or dried apricots and cherries and glaze with melted apricot jam or plain is very nice too.

THE FANNY FARMER DARK FRUITCAKE



The Fanny Farmer Dark Fruitcake image

This famous fruitcake recipe by Fanny Farmer goes back years, I made it recently using the brandied fruit cake option as stated on the bottom of the recipe and I strongly recommend to use that method as the brandy will strongly intensify the flavor and preserve the cake, this fruit cake is wonderful and I plan on making it again.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 2 (9x5-in) loaves

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup butter (room temperature) or 1/2 cup shortening (room temperature)
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup small candied fruit
1 cup candied cherry (use red and green)
1/2 cup small pieces candied citron peel
1 cup chopped dates (can use raisins)
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Set oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Butter two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.
  • Line the pans with foil, then butter the foil.
  • Cream the butter or shortening.
  • Add in brown sugar; beat until light.
  • Add in lemon extract and eggs and beat well.
  • Stir in molasses and blend to combine.
  • In a small bowl combine the flour with baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, mace, cloves and salt; beat into the creamed mixture until combined.
  • Add in milk; beat until combined.
  • Stir in the candied fruit, candied cherries, candied citron, dates or raisins and nuts; mix well.
  • Transfer/divide the batter between the two pans.
  • Bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until the loaves test done.
  • Turn out onto racks to cool.
  • When completely cooled wrap well and store in an airtight container.
  • BRANDIED FRUIT CAKE OPTION; soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in brandy.
  • Wrap each fruit cake in the cheesecloth covering all sides, then wrap well in foil.
  • Moisten the cheesecloth with additional brandy every few days for about a week.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2231.1, Fat 94.1, SaturatedFat 35.8, Cholesterol 316.6, Sodium 1469.7, Carbohydrate 334, Fiber 15.5, Sugar 202.8, Protein 28.7

NANA'S DARK FRUIT CAKE



NANA'S DARK FRUIT CAKE image

Categories     Fruit

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 lb of butter
1 lb of white sugar ( 2 1/4 cups )
12 eggs
2 squares of unsweetened chocolate (melted)
1 cup grape jelly
3 1/5 cup all purpose flour ( 2 cups of this amount to flour fruit)
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tbsp nutmeg
1 tsp cloves (crushed with rolling pin)
1 tsp allspice
2 lbs seedless raisins
1 lb currants
2 lbs glazed cherries
1 1/2 lbs candied pineapple
1 lb almonds ( 3 cups) unsalted and unflavoured

Steps:

  • Slice fruit into small pieces. If using whole almonds, place in plastic bag and crush using a rolling pin being careful not to crumbled them into a powder. Line three 8 inch spring form pans with parchment paper Flour fruit with 2 cups of flour Cream butter, sugar, eggs, chocolate and jelly. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl and then add to wet mixture. Stir floured fruit into wet ingredients. Pour into three 8 inch spring form pans. Place a pan of hot water on bottom of oven during baking. Remove for last hour of baking. Bake @ 250 degrees for three to four hours until toothpick comes out clean.

Tips:

  • Use ripe bananas: Overripe bananas have a sweeter flavor and will make your cake more moist.
  • Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy: This will help to incorporate air into the batter, making your cake lighter.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition: This will help to prevent the batter from curdling.
  • Stir in the dry ingredients gradually: This will help to prevent the batter from becoming too thick.
  • Do not overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This will help to ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting: This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

Nana's Dark Fruit Cake is a delicious and festive cake that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, rich flavor, and beautiful appearance, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give Nana's Dark Fruit Cake a try. You won't be disappointed!

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