Mike's Fabulous Fruitcake

Indulge in the holiday magic of *Mike's Fabulous Fruitcake*, a timeless classic bursting with festive flavors and textures. This rich, moist fruitcake is loaded with a medley of dried fruits—think raisins, cranberries, apricots, and cherries—infused with bright orange zest, orange juice, and a splash of rum or brandy for extra depth. A balance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla creates a warm spice profile, while crunchy chopped nuts add delightful texture. Baked to golden perfection, this fruitcake is finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and improves with age, making it the ultimate make-ahead dessert for holiday gatherings. Whether you're enjoying it as an elegant gift or a centerpiece at your festive table, this easy-to-follow recipe promises a crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar
• 1 cup Unsalted butter
• 4 Large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 3 cups Dried mixed fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, and cherries)
• 1 cup Chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 0.5 cup Orange juice
• 0.25 cup Rum or brandy (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and grease and line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, mix the dried fruits, orange zest, orange juice, and optional rum or brandy. Let soak while preparing the batter.

Step 3

In a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 7

Fold in the soaked dried fruits and their liquid, chopped nuts, and mix until evenly distributed.

Step 8

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake for 90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 10

Let the fruitcake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Once fully cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. For best results, let the fruitcake rest for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1705.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5818.0

Total Fat 194.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 69.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 992mg	0%
Sodium 2002.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 939.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.4g	0%
Total Sugars 613.1g
Protein 85.2g	0%

Vitamin D 160IU	0%
Calcium 590.8mg	0%
Iron 30.2mg	0%
Potassium 5101.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.9%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 64.2%