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Never Fail Fruit Cake (Old-Fashioned Style)

A timeless and forgiving fruit cake recipe, rich in flavors and perfect for holidays and special occasions.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Traditional
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour Sifted before measuring
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter Softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup brandy or rum Can replace with more orange juice for alcohol-free option
Fruits and Nuts
  • 2 cups mixed dried fruits Chopped if large
  • 1 cup chopped nuts Any preferred variety

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Assemble all ingredients on a clean workspace and prep dried fruits and nuts by measuring and chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Soften the butter at room temperature for easy creaming.
Mixing
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, alternating with the orange juice.
  6. Gently fold in the chopped dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.
Baking
  1. Prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing and lining it with parchment paper.
  2. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  3. Bake for 60-75 minutes, checking periodically. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
  4. Allow the cake to cool before slicing.

Notes

For variations, consider adding cloves or ginger, and for accidental leftovers, store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil.