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Festive Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake – A Holiday Delight

A moist and festive apricot and walnut fruitcake,rich with dried fruit, nuts, and cream cheese. Perfect for the holidays!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Slice
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups raisins
  • 2 cups dried apricots roughly chopped
  • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 cups glacé cherries roughly chopped (1 cup red, 1 cup green)
  • 1 cup mixed peel
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the fruit mixture: In a large saucepan, combine the water, raisins, and chopped dried apricots. Heat the mixture until it reaches a rolling boil, then lower the temperature to let it gently simmer for about 10 minutes. Once done, take it off the heat and let it cool down entirely.
  • Prepare the batter: In a spacious bowl, combine the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar, mixing until the texture is airy and smooth. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, ensuring each one is fully blended before adding the next. Then, fold in the vanilla extract.
  • Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with the baking powder using a whisk. Slowly incorporate the dry mixture into the butter blend, stirring gently until everything is just combined.
  • Fold in the fruit and nuts: Gently fold in the cooled fruit mixture, chopped glacé cherries, mixed peel, and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Bake the cake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan by greasing it and placing a sheet of parchment paper inside. Carefully transfer the batter into the pan, using a spatula to level the surface. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
  • Cool and serve: Allow the fruitcake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container. For best results, let the flavors develop over a few days before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal
Keyword Christmas fruitcake
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