Rich Dark Fruit Cake Recipe

This old-fashioned Rich Dark Fruit Cake is absolutely fabulous! The recipe has been in my family for many generations and has definitely withstood the test of time. It’s not difficult to make and is a great gift idea.

Directions:

Yield: 2 x 10″ and 2 x 8″ Loaves

1. Place the softened butter in a large bowl. Cream with an electric hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the sugar while blending.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix after each addition.
4. Add the fruit juice and vanilla and mix. I prefer freshly squeezed orange juice because of its flavor. I also prefer the double strength vanilla.
5. In another bowl, combine the fruit and nuts (raisins, currants, pineapple, cherries, mixed peel, dates, almonds, and pecans).
6. In a third bowl, blend together the dry ingredients (flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cloves).
7. Add the dry ingredients to the fruit and nut combination. Mix together until the fruit and nuts are coated with the flour mixture.
8. Add the flour-ed fruit to the creamed sugar mixture and mix.
9. To prepare your loaf pans, line them with two layers of heavy brown paper and grease with shortening.
10. Fill the loaf pans 3/4 full of batter.
11. Bake at 275°F for 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours. The larger pans will take longer to cook.
12. Let them sit for about 30 minutes before removing from the pan. You can remove the brown paper or leave it on if you wish.

Enjoy!