Mary Berry's Classic Fruit Cake

A rich celebration fruit cake packed with brandy-soaked dried fruits, citrus zest, and nuts, baked slowly for deep flavor.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 1052.5 kcals 8420 kcals
Carbohydrates 135.7 grams 1085.4 grams
Fat 49.4 grams 395.2 grams
Protein 13.2 grams 105.5 grams
Cook Time
285 mins
Produces
8 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
400
g
Dairy
400
g
Butter
softened
5
piece
Eggs
free-range
Fruits
350
g
225
g
225
g
175
g
Glacé Cherries
rinsed, dried and quartered
175
g
Dried Apricots
ready-to-eat, snipped into pieces
75
g
Mixed Candied Peel
finely chopped
1
piece
Lemon
grated zest only
1
piece
Orange
grated zest only
1
piece
Glacé Cherries
halved for decoration
GrainsCereals
Liquids
4
tbsp
Brandy
plus extra for feeding
NutsSeeds
0.5
tsp
Nutmeg
grated
0.75
tsp
65
g
Almonds
whole, chopped with skins on
1
piece
Almonds
whole blanched for decoration

Steps

  • Combine currants, sultanas, raisins, prepared cherries, apricots, and mixed peel in a bowl with brandy and soak overnight.
  • Grease a 23cm round cake tin and line it with a double layer of baking parchment.
  • Preheat the oven to 140°C.
  • Beat together flour, nutmeg, mixed spice, butter, sugar, eggs, chopped almonds, treacle, and citrus zest until thoroughly mixed.
  • Fold the soaked fruits into the batter.
  • Spoon the mixture into the tin, level the surface, and decorate with whole almonds and cherries.
  • Bake for 4 to 5 hours until firm and a skewer comes out clean.
  • Cool the cake in the tin, then pierce with a skewer and feed with additional brandy.
  • Wrap the cold cake in greaseproof paper and foil for storage.