I've been making this cake for years it's a great holiday cake and great for giftgiving!
Ingredients
Fruit Mix
- 4 cups raisins, golden raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, or chopped dates (mix & match)
- ½–1 cup brandy, rum, orange juice, or apple juice (for soaking)
Cake Batter
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp allspice
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ cup molasses
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (or keep it nut-free)
✨ Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Fruit
- Combine dried fruit in a bowl.
- Pour in enough rum, brandy, or juice to just cover it.
- Microwave 1 minute OR let it sit for 30 minutes to soften.
- Set aside.
2️⃣ Make the Batter
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Grease and line an 8×8 pan.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in molasses and orange zest.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
- Fold in the soaked fruit (and nuts if using).
3️⃣ Bake
- Pour batter into the prepared 8×8 pan.
- Bake 60–75 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan.
✨ Optional But Amazing: Brush With Flavor
Once cool, brush the top with:
This keeps the cake moist and deepens the flavor.