Classic Christmas Fruit Cake (With Soaked Fruit & Spices)

This Christmas Fruit Cake is a timeless holiday favorite—moist, rich, and filled with warmly spiced dried fruits. With the option to infuse your cake with rum, brandy, or orange juice, it only gets better over time. Whether you make it weeks in advance or the night before, this fruit cake is the perfect centerpiece for your festive celebration!

Ingredients

For the Soaked Fruit:

• 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates, cherries, cranberries)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice or rum/brandy (your choice)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange or lemon (optional but recommended)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk

Optional Additions: