Ingredients
- Dried cherries: 1 cup
- Raisins: 1 cup
- Chopped walnuts: 1 cup
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups
- Brown sugar: 1 cup, packed
- Butter: 1 cup, softened
- Eggs: 4 large
- Orange juice: 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the orange juice.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, dried cherries, raisins, and walnuts.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Step 6: Bake for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra moistness, wrap the cooled fruitcake tightly in cheesecloth soaked in rum or brandy before storing it in an airtight container.
- A quick 15-second zap in the microwave will warm a slice, making it even more decadent.
- Serve slices thinly with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly heavenly treat.
- To prevent fruit from sinking, toss the dried cherries, raisins, and walnuts with a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American