Favourite Fruit Loaf Recipes

WORLD'S BEST FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• The Day Before Baking: Combine the dried fruit in a large mixing bowl. Add the dark rum, cover, and allow the mixture to soak at room temperature for a minimum of 12 hours, or ideally 24 hours prior to preparing the fruit cake batter.
• Prepare the Fruitcake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) with a rack in the center position. Set aside two 8x4-inch All Clad Pro-Release Bakeware Loaf Pans. If using these pans, you do not need to line or grease the pans prior to adding the batter. Equipment Note: This fruitcake can also be prepared using 9x5-inch loaf pans. If using other types of pans, lightly grease and line with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together over medium-high speed for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating just until each egg is incorporated. The mixture will look slightly broken, that's ok.
• Over low speed, slowly add the flour mixture until just absorbed. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Add the lemon zest, orange zest, fresh orange juice, grated apple, slivered almonds, diced candied ginger, soaked dried fruit mixture (along with any liquid if it hasn't already been absorbed), and chocoate (if using). Stir mixture with a large spatula, scraping the edges and bottom of the bowl several times, until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. It is a very thick, fruit heavy mixture.
• Transfer and divide the batter evenly among the loaf pans. Use an offset spatula to smooth the batter into an even layer. Set the loaf pans on the center rack, several inches apart from one another. Bake - rotating the pans halfway - for 75 to 90 minutes or until the batter is set and the tops are golden brown. The edges of the cake may also start to pull away slightly from the edges of the pan. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely before removing from the pans.
• Storing and Aging: Once the cake has cooled, carefully remove the cakes from the loaf pans and set upright. Soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in medium sherry or triple sec (*they should be lightly damp, not soaking wet when you wrap the cakes, so you may need to squeeze out any excess liquor). Wrap each cake tightly. Cover loafs with wax paper and foil before transferring to a large Ziploc bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 to 8 weeks (it can often last even longer). You can serve this cake right after it has cooled, but the flavors improve greatly with time (I recommend several days or up to a week, at minimum). Unwrap and re-soak the cheesecloth once a week.
• For Garnishing: If desired, you can top the fruitcake with a light apricot glaze and whole pecans before serving. Note: I don't recommend glazing the cake if you wish to continue to wrap and age the fruitcake. To Prepare the Glaze: Combine the apricot preserves and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a light simmer, stirring until the glaze is shiny and thin. If it is too thin for glazing, reduce to desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of water. Brush the tops of the fruitcakes with apricot glaze and garnish with whole pecans.
• Serving Notes: Slice fruit cake with a serrated knife. Serve on its own or spread with a small amount of salted butter.

THE MOST AMAZING FRUIT LOAF RECIPE

Steps:

• Place flour and salt in bowl, rub in margarine.
• Add the sugar and fruit. Beat together eggs and milk
• Mix all together to make a soft dropping consistency
• Place in greased 6 inch or 7 inch loaf pan
• Bake in a fan oven at 175c for 45 minutes.

EASY FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Heat gently together in a pot on stove top the water, sugar, dried fruit and butter until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
• Allow to cool for a few minutes then stir in flour and spices and baking soda.
• Pour into a large loaf pan which has been greased and floured or bottom lined with baking paper and bake at 350'F for 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and leave to cool in tin for 10 minutes then tip out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
• Serve cut in slices and buttered.

DON'S FAVORITE FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• Combine all dry ingredients and add to nut mixture, stir until nuts are well coated.
• Beat eggs until foamy. Add vanilla. Fold into nut mixture. Mix well.
• Pour into greased, wax-paper lined 9x5x3 bread pan. Grease the wax paper as well. Bake at 300 Degrees. for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

SPICED FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Soak the dried fruits in the orange juice for about 30 mins, then sieve, reserving the juice.
• Put the flour, yeast, caster sugar and 1 tsp salt into a large mixing bowl with the spices and soaked fruit and mix well. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm milk, reserved orange juice, the beaten egg and the melted butter. Mix everything together to form a dough - start with a wooden spoon and finish with your hands. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water; if it's too wet, add more flour.
• Knead in the bowl or on a floured surface until the dough becomes smooth and springy. Transfer to a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover loosely with a clean, damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to rise until roughly doubled in size - this will take about 1 hr depending on how warm the room is.
• Knock the dough back by kneading for a few secs. Dust 2 x 2lb loaf tins with flour. Halve the dough. Use a little flour to help you shape each half into a smooth oval, then pop them into the tins. Cover both loosely with a clean, damp tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Bake for 20 mins, then cool in the tins before turning out and slicing.

OUR FAVOURITE LEMON LOAF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating until creamy.
• Blend in milk.
• In another bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt and lemon rind.
• Pour into batter.
• Stir to moisten.
• Scrape into greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
• Bake in 350f degree oven for 55 to 60 minutes.
• Cool in pan for 5 minutes.
• Remove to rack and while still hot, with a toothpick poke holes all over the top of the loaf, and spoon glaze evenly over.
• Cool.
• Glaze: Combine lemon juice and sugar in saucepan.
• Stir and heat till sugar is dissolved.
• Spoon evenly over top of hot loaf.

FAVOURITE FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Sieve the flour into a bowl and cut in the margarine.
• Rub in the margarine until it resembles breadcrumbs.
• Wash the fruit and roll in a little flour (stops it sinking).
• Add the fruit and sugar to the flour and mix.
• Beat the egg and gradually add to the flour mixture.
• Grease a loaf tin.
• Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for approx 50 minutes at gas mark 5.
• Test the loaf by inserting a clean knife; if it emerges clean, it's cooked.
• NB-Most times I make this I double the recipe, as it gets eaten so quickly!