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Dark Fruit Cake Recipe Just Like Grandma Made

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A rich, spiced, and deeply flavorful dark fruit cake packed with dried fruits, toasted nuts, and molasses — perfect for holidays or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 3–4 cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, prunes, figs, cherries)

  • ½ cup dark rum, brandy, or orange juice

  • 1 cup unsalted butter

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • ⅓ cup molasses

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tbsp flour (for coating fruit)

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • ½ tsp ground cloves

  • ½ tsp allspice

  • ½ tsp baking powder

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

  • Soak dried fruit in rum or juice overnight.

  • Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line and grease pan.

  • Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.

  • Stir in molasses.

  • Sift dry ingredients and mix into wet mixture.

  • Toss soaked fruit in 2 tbsp flour and fold into batter with nuts.

  • Pour into pan, smooth top, and bake for 2–2.5 hours.

  • Cool completely, wrap in cheesecloth, and age for 1–4 weeks.

Notes

For alcohol-free version, use juice. Store in airtight container and “feed” with rum weekly if desired.

Find it online: https://foodemily.com/dark-fruit-cake-recipe-just-like-grandma-made/