Description
Mary Berry’s Boiled Fruit Cake is a rich, dense cake made by boiling dried fruits with sugar and butter before combining them with flour, spices, and eggs. The boiling process plumps up the fruit and enhances its flavor, ensuring the cake remains moist and full of fruity goodness. This cake is perfect for festive occasions, and its long shelf life makes it a wonderful cake to prepare in advance.
Ingredients
- Mixed dried fruits (500g): A combination of sultanas, raisins, currants, and mixed peel for flavor and texture.
- Butter (175g): Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- Brown sugar (200g): Sweetens the cake and complements the dried fruits.
- Water (300ml): Used to boil the fruit mixture, making it soft and flavorful.
- Plain flour (275g): The base of the cake batter.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cake rise slightly.
- Mixed spice (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and a festive aroma to the cake.
- Bicarbonate of soda (½ teaspoon): Helps keep the cake light and prevents it from becoming too dense.
- Eggs (2 large, beaten): Add structure to the cake and bind the ingredients.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a hint of sweetness and flavor depth.
- Icing sugar (optional, for dusting): To decorate the top of the cake.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Tin
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan) or 325°F. Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with parchment paper.
Step 2: Boil the Fruit Mixture
- In a large saucepan, combine the mixed dried fruits, butter, brown sugar, and water. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and mixed spice. Stir until well combined.
Step 4: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Once the fruit mixture has cooled, stir in the beaten eggs and vanilla extract until well mixed.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon, ensuring everything is well combined.
Step 5: Transfer to the Cake Tin
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- If the top of the cake begins to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil to prevent burning.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust the top with icing sugar before serving for an elegant finish.