There’s something irresistibly comforting about a cake that’s rich with dried fruits and crunchy nuts. The Golden Fruit & Nut Cake Delight is just that a moist, hearty treat that’s perfect with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Its natural sweetness from apricots, raisins, and dates combined with a touch of spice and the richness of nuts makes it a wholesome choice for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, looking for a midday snack, or simply want to indulge in a slice of nostalgia, this fruit cake has you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
Naturally Sweet and Rich
This cake relies heavily on the natural sweetness of dried fruits like apricots, raisins, and dates. That means you can enjoy a richly flavored dessert without needing a mountain of refined sugar. Each bite bursts with the distinct textures and tastes of the fruits, balancing the softness of the cake with their chewy goodness.
Perfect Texture and Spice
The blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour gives the cake a moist yet hearty texture. Add in warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and every slice becomes a cozy treat. The subtle spice blend enhances the flavor of the fruits and nuts without overpowering them, making it ideal for those who love well-balanced desserts.
Ingredients and Directions
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dried apricots, chopped
- 1 cup raisins or sultanas
- 1 cup chopped dates or figs
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar (brown or white)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup orange juice or water
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Soak the Fruits: In a bowl, mix the chopped apricots, raisins, and dates with orange juice. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to allow the fruits to soften.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and sugar until smooth.
- Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the soaked fruits (including the soaking liquid) and chopped nuts.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Variations
Storage and Serving Suggestions
This fruit and nut cake stores beautifully. Wrap it tightly and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. It’s even more delightful when slightly warmed and served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Customize to Your Taste
Feel free to swap in your favorite dried fruits or nuts. Cranberries, dried cherries, almonds, and hazelnuts all make excellent alternatives. You can also experiment with adding a bit of zest from an orange or lemon for extra brightness. If you prefer a dairy-free version, opt for oil instead of butter.
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Golden Fruit & Nut Cake Delight
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 slices
Description
Bursting with naturally sweet dried fruits and crunchy nuts, this moist and wholesome cake is a perfect companion to tea or coffee.
Ingredients
– 1½ cups dried apricots, chopped
– 1 cup raisins or sultanas
– 1 cup chopped dates or figs
– ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– ½ cup whole wheat flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– ½ tsp nutmeg
– ¼ tsp salt
– ½ cup sugar (brown or white)
– 2 large eggs
– ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– ½ cup orange juice or water
Instructions
– Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and prepare an 8-inch round cake pan.
– Mix chopped apricots, raisins, and dates with orange juice and let sit for 15 minutes.
– In a bowl, combine flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
– In another bowl, whisk eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar until smooth.
– Combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold in fruits (with liquid) and nuts.
– Pour into pan and bake for 50–60 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Best enjoyed slightly warm; customize with your favorite nuts or dried fruits.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Global
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: fruit cake, nut cake, tea cake, dried fruit dessert, wholesome cake