Best 5 Quick And Easy British Fruitcake Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the delectable flavors of a traditional British fruitcake, a culinary masterpiece deeply rooted in the rich history of British baking. This beloved cake boasts a moist, dense crumb studded with an array of succulent fruits, nuts, and spices, offering a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite. From the classic to the contemporary, our collection of fruitcake recipes caters to every palate and occasion. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind this timeless treat, promising an unforgettable taste experience that will transport you to the heart of British teatime tradition.

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

QUICK FRUITCAKE



Quick Fruitcake image

This fruitcake recipe is very easy to make through use of prepared mincemeat and mixed candied fruit for a quick Christmas-time classic.

Provided by Linda C.

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Fruitcake Recipes

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 (28 ounce) jar prepared mincemeat pie filling
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups candied mixed fruit

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Butter cake pans, and line with wax paper. Butter the wax paper.
  • Sift the flour with the baking soda.
  • In a large bowl, combine eggs, mincemeat, condensed milk, fruit, and nuts. Fold in dry ingredients. Pour into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 2 hours, or until center springs back and top is golden brown. Cool. Turn cakes out onto wire rack; remove wax paper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262.4 calories, Carbohydrate 50.4 g, Cholesterol 21.1 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 209.6 mg, Sugar 21.8 g

EASY-PEASY FRUITCAKE



Easy-peasy fruitcake image

Try this lighter version of a classic Christmas fruitcake, bursting with festive spice and juicy fruit. Decorate with candied fruit and glacé cherries

Provided by Lulu Grimes

Categories     Afternoon tea, Dessert, Treat

Time 3h30m

Yield Serves 14-16

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 tbsp rum or brandy
1 orange , zested and juiced
600g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, apricots, cherries, cranberries)
200g butter , very soft
200g golden caster sugar
4 eggs
50g ground almonds
200g plain flour
100g pecan nuts or whole skinned almonds, chopped
100g candied peel , chopped
75g crystallised or candied ginger , chopped
apricot jam (warmed and sieved) or apricot glaze
candied pineapple , candied angelica, glacé cherries (a mixture of red, green and yellow if you can find them), crystallised ginger

Steps:

  • Put the rum (or brandy), orange zest and juice and mixed dried fruit in a bowl and stir. Leave to soak overnight.
  • Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3½. Double line a 20cm tin with baking parchment. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs one by one, then fold in the almonds and flour. Add a pinch of salt and fold in the soaked fruit mixture (and any remaining liquid in the bowl), along with the nuts, candied peel and ginger. Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface.
  • Bake for 1 hr, then turn the oven down to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and bake for a further 2 hrs. Check the cake to see if it's pulling away from the sides of the tin and feels firm on top. If you need to, keep cooking for a further 15 mins. Cool in the tin. If storing in the tin, wrap the cake tightly first. Will freeze for up to two months.
  • To decorate, brush the cake with the apricot jam (or glaze) and arrange your choice of candied fruit on top. Will keep in a sealed container for up to three weeks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 55 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 44 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.4 milligram of sodium

RICH FRUITCAKE



Rich fruitcake image

This fruitcake slices into 50-80 small pieces if you use it for a wedding or christening. It's delicious eaten straight away, or poked with a few holes and fed with brandy

Provided by Sophie Godwin - Cookery writer

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h20m

Number Of Ingredients 16

150ml brandy
680g sultanas
680g currants
450g raisins
170g glacé cherries, halved
170g candied peel
560g plain flour
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tbsp cocoa powder
450g butter, softened at room temperature
½ orange, zested
½ lemon, zested
450g golden caster sugar
½ tbsp black treacle
8 large eggs

Steps:

  • The night before, pour 75ml of the brandy over the fruit, cover and leave to sit, letting the fruit soak up the alcohol.
  • Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Line a deep, 25cm square cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, then wrap a double layer of newspaper around the outside, so that it comes about 2.5cm above the sides of the tin, and secure with string.
  • Sift the flour, spices, cocoa powder and ½ tsp salt together. Mix a third of this mixture into the soaked fruit. Cream the butter, zests and sugar until light and fluffy, stir in the treacle, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in half the remaining flour mixture. Once mixed, fold in the fruit mixture followed by the remaining flour mixture.
  • Spoon into the prepared tin, smoothing the top with a palette knife. Bake in the centre of the oven for 2 hrs 30 mins, checking the cake with 15 mins to go. When a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean, it's ready.
  • Leave to cool in the tin for 30 mins then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. To store, peel off the baking parchment, poke holes into the cake and feed with the remaining brandy. Wrap well in cling film. Will keep for three months.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180 calories, Fat 5 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 29 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 22 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.1 milligram of sodium

BOILED FRUIT CAKE



Boiled fruit cake image

Rustle up this easy fruitcake for your cake tin. Packed with juicy raisins, sultanas, currants and mixed peel, it's perfect for afternoon tea with a cuppa

Provided by Ailsa Brown

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 10

125g unsalted butter, cubed, plus extra for the tin
175g light brown soft sugar,
200g raisins
200g sultanas
100g currants
50g mixed peel
225g self-raising flour
1½ tsp mixed spice
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 eggs, beaten

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter and line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. Melt the sugar, butter and 225ml water in a large saucepan. Once melted, add the raisins, sultanas, currants and mixed peel. Bring to a gentle boil, and stirring occasionally, cook until reduced and softened, around 10-15 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool to room temperature.
  • Tip the flour, mixed spice, bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt into a large bowl. Add the cooled fruit mixture and stir, then add the eggs and mix to combine. Bake for 45-55 mins until dark brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into slices to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 calories, Fat 10 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 59 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 44 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 4 grams protein, Sodium 0.4 milligram of sodium

EASY FRUITCAKE



Easy fruitcake image

This easy fruit cake by one of our younger readers, Bree Hamilton, is simple, uses storecupboard ingredients and is perfect for a quick winter pick-me-up

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 12

175ml flavourless oil, plus extra for greasing
100g light brown muscovado sugar
2 eggs, beaten
225g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp allspice
½ orange, juiced
½ lemon, juiced
200g mixed dried fruit
200g apricot jam
icing sugar, for dusting

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Grease and line the base of two 20cm springform cake tins with baking parchment.
  • Stir together the oil and sugar, add the eggs, flour, baking powder, spices and juices, and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until pourable and reasonably runny. Gently fold in the fruit, then divide the batter evenly between the tins. Bake for 20-25 mins or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean, then leave to cool.
  • When cool, remove from the tins and sandwich the cakes together with jam. Sieve some icing sugar on top to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 505 calories, Fat 23 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 67 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 45 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the right fruit. Use a variety of dried fruits that are plump and moist. Avoid fruits that are hard or shriveled.
  • Soak the fruit in tea or alcohol. This will help to plump up the fruit and add flavor to the cake.
  • Use a good quality butter. This will give the cake a rich flavor and texture.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the cake and make it lighter.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the cake from curdling.
  • Fold in the flour and baking powder gently. Do not overmix, as this will make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake at a low temperature for a long time. This will help to ensure that the cake is cooked through without drying out.
  • Let the cake cool completely before icing it. This will help to prevent the icing from melting.

Conclusion:

British fruitcake is a delicious and traditional cake that is perfect for any occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make a fruitcake that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give British fruitcake a try.

Related Topics