17+ Easy Dark Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!

Why Choose a Dark Christmas Fruit Cake?

Rich in Flavor and Tradition

A dark Christmas fruit cake is a traditional dessert that has been enjoyed for generations. It is packed with a variety of dried fruits and nuts, giving it a rich and complex flavor that is perfect for the holidays. The dark color of the cake is due to the addition of molasses or brown sugar, which adds a depth of flavor and a beautiful dark hue.

Easy to Make

Contrary to popular belief, making a dark Christmas fruit cake is not a daunting task. With the right recipe and ingredients, it can be a simple and enjoyable process. This recipe is designed to make the process even easier, so even novice bakers can create a delicious fruit cake that will impress their loved ones.

Long Shelf Life

One of the best things about a dark Christmas fruit cake is that it has a long shelf life. In fact, some people prefer to make it weeks in advance to allow the flavors to develop even more. This makes it the perfect dessert to have on hand for unexpected guests or last-minute holiday gatherings.

Ingredients You'll Need

To make this easy dark Christmas fruit cake, you will need: • Raisins
• Currants
• Dried cranberries
• Dried cherries
• Dried apricots
• Candied orange peel
• Candied lemon peel
• Candied ginger
• Chopped walnuts
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Molasses
• Brandy or rum

How to Make It

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the raisins, currants, dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried apricots, candied orange peel, candied lemon peel, candied ginger, and chopped walnuts. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. 4. In a third bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, molasses, and brandy or rum. 5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. 6. Fold in the dried fruit and nut mixture until evenly distributed throughout the batter. 7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. 8. Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it and allowing it to cool completely on a wire rack. 10. Once cooled, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or tin. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 1 month.

In Conclusion

Making a dark Christmas fruit cake may seem daunting, but with this easy recipe, you'll have a delicious and traditional dessert in no time. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to impress your loved ones with this festive treat. Happy holidays!