Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with our Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake, a delightful twist on a classic holiday dessert. This moist and flavorful cake blends the sweetness of dried apricots and cranberries with the crunch of walnuts, creating a vibrant treat perfect for any celebration. Infused with warm spices and a hint of citrus, this fruitcake not only stands out as a centerpiece dessert but also improves in flavor over time, making it ideal for gifting or serving at parties. Whether paired with tea or coffee, or enjoyed on its own, this cake is sure to win hearts at your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups dried apricots, chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup golden raisins
- ½ cup dark vanilla extract (alcohol-free) or apple juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In one bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
- Stir in vanilla extract, apple juice (or dark vanilla), honey, milk, orange juice, zest, dried fruits (apricots, cranberries), and walnuts.
- Gradually fold in the dry mixture until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 60–70 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (90g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg