Homemade ultimate Christmas Fruit Cake Loaf

This Ultimate Christmas Fruit Cake Loaf is soft, moist, and generously packed with dried fruits, citrus zest, and warm spices. Unlike traditional heavy fruit cakes, this loaf is light yet rich, beautifully aromatic, and improves in flavor as it rests. Perfect for the holiday season, tea time, gifting, or festive gatherings.

🕒 Time & Yield

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus soaking time)
Fruit Soaking Time: 1 hour or overnight
Baking Time: 50–55 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (10–12 slices)

🛒 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mixed spice or cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Flavor & Fruit

Zest of 1 orange or lemon
1½ cups mixed dried fruits
(raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, candied peel)
3 tablespoons rum or orange juice (for soaking fruits)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Soak the Fruits

Place the mixed dried fruits in a bowl.
Pour over the rum or orange juice and mix well.
Cover and soak for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to enhance moisture and flavor.

2️⃣ Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.

3️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

Flour
Baking powder
Salt
Mixed spice or cinnamon

Set aside.

4️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together for 3–4 minutes until light, fluffy, and creamy.

5️⃣ Add Eggs & Flavorings

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla extract and citrus zest.

6️⃣ Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, mixing gently until smooth and creamy.

⚠️ Do not overmix.

7️⃣ Fold in the Fruits

Gently fold in the soaked fruits (including any remaining liquid) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

8️⃣ Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until:

The top is golden
A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.

9️⃣ Cool & Finish

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For extra festive flavor, brush the warm loaf lightly with rum or orange juice.

🎁 Storage & Flavor Development

Wrap the loaf tightly and store at room temperature for 24 hours before serving.
This resting time allows the flavors to deepen and develop beautifully.