5th December 2024

Brandy Fruit Cake

Brandy Fruit Cake

The Brandy Fruit Cake is an easy to make cake similar to a rum cake, but requires no soaking of the fruits in the liquor for a period of time. It also needs no whisking or beating. It’s a great cake to serve at breakfast, or after dinner with a mug of coffee. Packed with fruit and not too heavy like the rum cake, it can be eaten as a snack also – no occasion needed.

Yield: 1 ½ Kg. (approx.)

Prep. Time:  40 Mins. + 1 Hour (standing)

Baking Time: 60 to 70 Mins. (active + passive)

Ingredients:

  • Self-Raising Flour – 150 gms
  • Maida [APF] – 150 gms
  • Eggs – 3
  • Cashew Nuts (broken into bits) – 50 gms
  • The Mix:
    • Raisins (seedless, chopped into two) – 200 gms
    • Currants (seedless, chopped into two) – 200 gms
    • Glace Cherries (chopped into four to six pieces) – 100 gms
    • Candied Papaya [Tooti Frooti] – 100 gms
    • Demerara Sugar – 170 gms
    • Cinnamon Powder – ½ tsp.
    • Cardamom Powder – ¼ tsp.
    • Nutmeg Powder – ¼ tsp.
    • Brandy – 125 ml
    • Water – 125 ml
    • Salted Butter – 124 gms
    • Soda-bi-carb – 1 tsp.
    • Salt – ¼ tsp.
Making of Brandy Fruit Cake

Step 1:     Mix all the ingredients listed under ‘The Mix’ in a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium low heat. Stir occasionally. Lift the pan off the heat as soon as the mixture comes to a boil (a layer of bubbles will form on the top). Transfer to a glass bowl and keep aside for 40 to 60 minutes to come to room temperature.

Making of Brandy Fruit Cake
Making of Brandy Fruit Cake
Making of Brandy Fruit Cake

Step 2:     Line a baking tray (8 x 8 x 2 inches ) with 2 layers of parchment paper at the bottom and 1 layer on the sides. The layer on the side should be cut a little broader so that it is taller than the side of the tray (see pic). Adjust the oven rack to the lower half so that the cake bakes in the center. Set to pre-heat at 160° c.

Making of Brandy Fruit Cake

Step 3:     Meanwhile, mix the maida and self-raising flour. Sieve and keep aside. Beat the eggs lightly. Keep aside.

Step 4:     Add the cashew nuts to the cooled ‘Mix’ followed by the eggs. Stir to mix with a wooden or silicon spatula. Add the flour in three batches and mix it in with a wooden spoon.

Making of Brandy Fruit Cake
Making of Brandy Fruit Cake

Step 5:     Pour the mixture into the baking tray and smoothen with the spatula. Bake for 60 minutes at 160° c. After 60 minutes, insert a knife in the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If it does not, bake for a further 5 to 10 minutes (baking time depends on your type of oven).

Making of Brandy Fruit Cake
Making of Brandy Fruit Cake
Making of Brandy Fruit Cake

25 Comments

  1. Hi Sean and Ina, thank you for such a great recipe!! Before trying it out wanted to knowthe shelf life of this cake. If made in November will it stay well until Christmas.

    • In reply, we’d like to wager that it will not last till Christmas. It will all be over in a few days ?. On a serious note, you could make it a month before and cool it completely. Then store in an airtight container and wrap the container with cling film and then store in the refrigerator till Christmas.

  2. Dear Sean/ Ina
    I have soaked my fruits in rum just today, can I use them into this recipe and skip the brandy part? Can you please guide me, it’s my first time baking a Christmas cake.

  3. Hi Sean,
    Thanks for the lovely recipe.
    I have a query to ask you I have bought a brandy soaked mixed fruit from store it’s 800g so I want to know how much of this I can can substitute for this cake please?

  4. Thank you for this recipe, I finally baked this yesterday. Your measurements are so precise, the other thing you are very precise about is that this cake will not make it to Christmas, it’s being gobbled down by everyone most especially the cook! 😉

  5. Hi Sean, can dates and prunes be soaked in rum instead of brandy, your cake loos too good . Would like to try dates and plums with other fruits . Please advise . Thank you in advance

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