Dense Winter Fruit & Nut Cake
Rich, moist, and packed with fruits & nuts
Introduction
The Dense Winter Fruit & Nut Cake is a classic cold-weather favorite—deeply flavorful, moist, and loaded with dried fruits and crunchy nuts. Perfect for tea time, holidays, or gifting, this cake improves in taste as it rests. Warm spices, caramel notes, and a hearty texture make it an ideal dessert for winter evenings.
Ingredients (Serves 10–12)
Fruits & Nuts
1 cup dates, chopped
½ cup raisins or sultanas
½ cup dried cranberries or cherries
¾ cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans), chopped
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to coat fruits & nuts)
Wet Ingredients
½ cup butter (or oil)
¾ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup milk or orange juice
Dry Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line an 8-inch loaf or round cake pan.
Prepare Fruits & Nuts
Toss chopped fruits and nuts with 2 tbsp flour. This helps prevent sinking.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
Combine
Add dry ingredients alternately with milk (or orange juice). Mix gently. Fold in fruits and nuts.
Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 55–65 minutes, covering loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Cool & Rest
Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Let the cake rest for a few hours or overnight for best flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with tea or coffee
Slice thin and enjoy plain or with butter
Dust lightly with powdered sugar
Variations
Alcohol-Free Soak: Soak fruits in warm orange juice
Extra Rich: Add 2 tbsp honey or molasses
Whole Wheat: Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour
Storage Tips
Store wrapped at room temperature for 3–4 days
Refrigerate for up to 1 week
Freezes well for up to 2 months
Final Thoughts
This Dense Winter Fruit & Nut Cake is hearty, comforting, and full of seasonal warmth. With its rich texture and deep flavor, it’s the perfect bake for winter gatherings or quiet evenings at home.