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Easy Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe – Festive & Delicious!

A rich and festive Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe that’s been a global holiday favorite for over 200 years. Moist, flavorful, and packed with dried fruits and nuts, this timeless dessert brings cozy winter memories to life.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Holiday
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup mixed dried fruit cherries, pineapple, apricots, etc.
  • ½ cup walnuts or pecans chopped
  • ¼ cup candied green cherries halved
  • ¼ cup candied red cherries halved

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a loaf or bundt pan, lining the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Fold in the mixed dried fruits and nuts gently.
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Decorate with halved red and green candied cherries.
  8. Bake for 70–80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a boozy version, soak fruits in rum overnight. To keep it alcohol-free, use apple juice instead. Store wrapped tightly for up to a week or freeze slices for longer freshness.