This rich Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake recipe is made with a medley of mixed dried fruit, a simple flour and egg batter, and a hint of brandy and mixed spice. This recipe creates a wonderfully moist, dense, and flavorful cake that’s perfect for a cozy afternoon tea or a festive celebration. Its simple boiling method makes it a very easy-to-follow recipe, and it keeps exceptionally well. This generous cake is big enough to serve 19 people.
Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake Ingredients
- 900g mixed fruit, raisins, sultanas, chopped nuts, and walnuts
- 350g sugar
- 350g margarine or butter
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 250ml cold water
- 250ml brandy
- 240g all-purpose flour
- 240g self-raising flour
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 x 200g tub glacé cherries, chopped
How To Make Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake
- Boil the fruit mixture: Preheat your oven to 150°C (130°C Fan/Gas 3). Grease and line three loaf tins. In a large saucepan, combine the mixed fruit and nuts, sugar, margarine, bicarbonate of soda, water, and brandy. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then immediately remove it from the heat.
- Cool the mixture: Let the boiled fruit mixture cool completely. This is a very important step before adding the eggs and flour.
- Make the batter: Once the mixture is cool, add the all-purpose flour, self-raising flour, beaten eggs, baking powder, mixed spice, and chopped glacé cherries. Mix everything well with a wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the cakes: Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared loaf tins. Place the tins in the preheated oven and bake for 1-1.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Cool and store: Let the cakes cool in their tins for about 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, this cake can be wrapped tightly in parchment and then foil to keep it fresh for a long time.
Recipe Tips
- Cool the mixture completely: Do not add the eggs to a warm mixture. The heat will cook the eggs, and you will end up with a lumpy, unpleasant texture.
- A little goes a long way: While the recipe calls for three loaf tins, you can also use one large 20cm round tin. Just be aware that the baking time will be significantly longer (around 2-2.5 hours).
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, chewy cake. Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Feeding the cake: If you want to make this an extra rich and moist Christmas cake, you can “feed” it by poking holes in the top of the cooled cake with a skewer and pouring a tablespoon of brandy over it once a week for a few weeks before you eat it.
What To Serve Boiled Fruit Cake
This fruit cake is a delightful treat on its own. It pairs perfectly with a cup of hot tea or coffee. For a more decadent dessert, you can serve it with a slice of sharp Cheddar cheese, or with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or custard.
How To Store Boiled Fruit Cake Leftovers
- Refrigerate: This type of fruit cake doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
- Freeze: This fruit cake freezes very well. Once completely cool, wrap it tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, and then a layer of foil. It can be frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before unwrapping.
Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 45g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 5g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use different dried fruits? Yes, you can. The recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to use a combination of raisins, sultanas, currants, dried apricots, or dates. Just ensure the total weight of the fruit remains the same.
- What is mixed spice? Mixed spice is a British spice blend that typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. It’s available in the baking aisle of most supermarkets.
- How do I know when the cake is done? The best way to tell if the cake is cooked is by inserting a skewer or a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is ready
Hairy Bikers Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe
Description
Hairy Bikers’ Boiled Fruit Cake is a wonderfully moist and flavorful cake. It’s made by boiling a medley of dried fruits, margarine, and sugar with a hint of brandy before adding the rest of the ingredients. The method ensures a dense, rich, and long-lasting cake that is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil mixture: In a saucepan, combine fruit, sugar, margarine, bicarbonate of soda, water, and brandy. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Let cool completely.
- Make batter: Stir flours, eggs, baking powder, mixed spice, and cherries into the cooled fruit mixture.
- Bake: Divide the batter into three loaf tins and bake at 150°C for 1-1.5 hours, or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the tins before turning them out onto a wire rack.
