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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Home Baking ยป Home Baking Cakes and Biscuits

    Easy Fruit Loaf Cake

    Published: Apr 6, 2023 ยท Updated: Nov 30, 2024 by Neil 18 Comments

    410 shares
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    Fruit loaf cake on a cutting board with three slices cut off. Knife to the left hand side. Pin title text overlay at top.
    Easy fruit loaf cake on a chopping board facing forward with three slices cut off the front. Pin title text overlay at top.

    This easy fruit loaf cake is stuffed with sweet and fruity goodness. It's a mouth-watering cake that's perfect for entertaining.

    Easy fruit loaf cake on a chopping board with three slices cut off.

    If you're looking for a quick and easy fruit cake then look no further than this, my tried and tested family recipe.

    I'll be the first to say I'm not the world's best baker but when I have a recipe that works, like this and like my popular lemon loaf cake I'm happy to share them!

    You only need 6 ingredients to make this easy fruit loaf cake.

    Ingredients that you are likely to have on hand in your kitchen.

    Then it only takes 15 minutes to mix all those ingredients together in the same bowl to make a cake batter.

    Transfer the cake batter into your loaf tin and then bake for less than an hour.

    Allow to cool. Slice and serve. It's as simple as that!

    Overhead view of a fruit loaf cake sitting on a chopping board with three slices cut off and a knife to the left side.

    A slice of this fruit loaf goes so well with a cup of tea.

    It's a delicious moist fruit loaf recipe, but I also remember some of my family enjoying a slice with a little butter or spread on.

    So if that's what you want to do, then go right ahead!

    This is a great traditional fruit loaf recipe that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

    I used to make this with my mum so it's perfect for kids to make too.

    It's great for any time of the year. For me I remember this being a particular favourite at Easter, that's why I'm sharing it with you now.

    Enjoy!

    A slice of fruit loaf cake on a plate with two pastry forks alongside. Rest of loaf in the background on a chopping board.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • FAQ's
    • Other Popular Loaf Cake Recipes To Try
    • ๐Ÿ“‹ Easy Fruit Loaf Cake Recipe
    • Nutrition Label
    • Rate The Recipe

    Ingredients

    Easy fruit loaf cake ingredients laid out on a table.
    • Plain Flour / All Purpose Flour
    • Baking Powder
    • Light Brown Soft Sugar
    • Unsalted Butter or Margarine
    • Large Eggs
    • Dried Mixed Fruit

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this easy fruit loaf cake recipe:

    A loaf tin greased and lined with greaseproof paper.

    Step 1

    • Pre-heat Oven to 180C Fan. Prepare loaf tin.
    Flour, baking powder and sugar in a large baking bowl.

    Step 2

    • Place all the dry ingredients the flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl.
    Butter and eggs added to dry ingredients to form a cake batter.

    Step 3

    • Add the butter. Gradually fold in the beaten eggs to form a wet and smooth consistency. If not smooth add a little milk.
    Dried fruit added into cake batter.

    Step 4

    • Mix the dried fruit into the cake batter.
    Cake batter before cooking in the prepared loaf tin.

    Step 5

    • Spoon the cake batter into the prepared loaf tin. Then bake in your oven. Baking times may vary depending on your oven.
    Baked easy fruit loaf cake removed from the oven.

    Step 6

    • Bake until cake has risen and surface has browned. Use a wooden skewer to check the centre of the cake is cooked.
    Fruit cake sitting on top of a wire rack to cool.

    Step 7

    • Allow to cool slightly in the tin. Remove cake and greaseproof paper and transfer to a wire baking rack to cool completely.
    Fruit loaf cake on a chopping board. Three slices cut off the front. Cup of tea and serving plates behind.

    Step 8

    • Cut into slices and serve with a cup of tea.

    Substitutions

    • Plain Flour / All Purpose Flour - you can use self raising flour instead. Just use the same quantity of self raising flour but only ยฝ teaspoon baking powder.
    • Light Brown Soft Sugar - you can use brown sugar but you will get a stronger taste and darker colour.
    • Unsalted Butter or Margarine - the nutritional label is based on unsalted butter. You can use either though.
    • Large Eggs - I use free range eggs.
    • Dried Mixed Fruit - I use a bag of ready mixed dried fruit. You can use an equal measure of whatever dried fruit you have like currants, raisins or sultanas.

    Equipment

    For Your Easy Fruit Loaf Cake You May Need….

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through, then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    This is the mixing bowl I use for all my recipes.

    Great value for money it's high quality and made of heavy earthenware.

    A perfect mixing bowl, easy to clean and with a wide, shallow shape for easy kneading. It's dishwasher safe too!

    FAQ's

    Why Has My Fruit Cake Turned Out Dry?

    This should be a quick easy moist fruit cake recipe. If you find it turns out dry it could be for a number of reasons. Make sure your batter is smooth. Not too thick and not too runny. All ovens vary in terms of temperature too. So you many need to experiment with the baking time. I've perfected this cake over many years so you many need to experiment a few times to get yours perfect.

    Why has My Fruit Cake Not Risen?

    If your cake has not risen sufficiently you may need to add more baking powder. Or your cake batter may have been too stiff.

    How To Store?

    You can store your fruit cake in your fridge in an air tight container for about 5 days.

    Can You Freeze?

    Yes. I like to slice the cake first then freeze. This means I can take out and defrost individual slices when I need them.

    What Are The Calories?

    There are 201 calories per slice of fruit loaf cake.

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    Other Popular Loaf Cake Recipes To Try

    📋 Best Carrot Cake Loaf
    Best carrot cake loaf. With smooth cream cheese icing and a moist texture this delicious and easy to make recipe is just perfect to share!
    Check out this recipe
    Birds eye view of best carrot cake loaf on a bread board with three slices cut away. Plates, grated carrot and chopped nuts arranged as decoration above.
    Cherry Bakewell Loaf Cake
    Cherry bakewell loaf cake is an easy and delicious budget cake with all the flavours of a bakewell tart. Topped with a layer of icing sugar it's perfect for sharing with friends.
    Check out this recipe
    Cherry bakewell loaf cake is an easy and delicious budget cake with all the flavours of a bakewell tart. Topped with a layer of icing sugar it's perfect for sharing with friends.
    📋 Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake
    Gingerbread loaf cake is an easy and delicious home baked recipe to make. It's soft, moist and topped with a light covering of icing. A perfect holiday bake!
    Check out this recipe
    A slice of gingerbread loaf cake on a plate ready to eat with the rest of the sliced loaf in the background.
    Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Cake
    Lemon blueberry yogurt cake is a really easy healthy Greek yogurt cake recipe. It's delicious, moist and fluffy.
    Check out this recipe
    Lemon blueberry yogurt cake is a really easy healthy Greek yogurt cake recipe. It's delicious, moist and fluffy. This loaf cake is just packed full of blueberry and lemony goodness and is perfect for an afternoon treat or sharing with friends!
    Easy fruit loaf cake on a chopping board with three slices cut off.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    4.94 from 16 votes

    📋 Easy Fruit Loaf Cake Recipe

    This easy fruit loaf cake is stuffed with sweet and fruity goodness. It's a mouth-watering cake that's perfect for entertaining.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Home Baking
    Cuisine: British
    Servings: 15 slices
    Calories: 201kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Large mixing bowl
    • Loaf tin
    • Kitchen scale
    • Measuring spoons
    • Sieve
    • Wooden spoon
    • Wooden skewers
    • Wire baking rack

    Ingredients

    • 200 g plain flour
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 100 g light brown soft sugar
    • 150 g unsalted butter or margarine softened and cut into cubes.
    • 3 large eggs beaten.
    • 250 g dried mixed fruit.
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 180C and grease and line a 20cm x 12.5cm / 8” x 5” loaf tin with greaseproof paper.
    • Sift all the dry ingredients the flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl.
    • Add the butter and gradually fold in the beaten eggs to form a wet but smooth consistency. If not smooth add a little milk.
    • Add in the dried fruit and combine into the cake batter.
    • Spoon the cake batter into the prepared loaf tin and place in the oven to bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
    • Once the cake has risen and surface has browned, check the inside is cooked by inserting a wooden skewer into the centre of the cake, which should come out clean.
    • Allow to cool slightly in the tin before removing cake and transferring to a wire baking rack.
    • Cut into 15 slices and serve with a cup of tea.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    You can also use a free-standing mixer or handheld mixer to mix all of the ingredients together.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 299IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Label

    Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Easy Fruit Loaf Cake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 201 Calories from Fat 81
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 9g14%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Trans Fat 0.3g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 54mg18%
    Sodium 16mg1%
    Potassium 198mg6%
    Carbohydrates 28g9%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 15g17%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 299IU6%
    Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
    Calcium 60mg6%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Rate The Recipe

    If you’ve made this easy fruit loaf cake recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.

    I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angiesrecipes

      April 06, 2023 at 4:25 am

      5 stars
      My husband is a huge fan of raisins. This looks totally GREAT and perfect for either breakfast, afternoon tea or even as a dessert ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 06, 2023 at 5:27 am

        Thanks Angie. I think I've eaten this cake at all those opportunities too!

        Reply
    2. Sherry MacKay

      April 07, 2023 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      I have a lovely loaf cake recipe where you soak the dried fruit in tea for hours before baking. So tasty. Always good to have a recipe like this up your sleeve.

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 07, 2023 at 7:07 am

        Thanks Sherry. Yes I agree about it's always good to have a recipe like this handy. You never know who is going to pop round!

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced

      April 10, 2023 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      Now that looks like a delicious loaf! I do enjoy loaf cakes like this with fruit (and sometimes nuts) mixed in, so this is right up my alley. I'd love a slice of this mid-morning today! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 10, 2023 at 4:26 pm

        It's my tried and trusted family fruit cake recipe. Glad you like it David. And you could easily put some nuts in it too if you wanted!

        Reply
    4. Mimi Rippee

      April 11, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      Ohhhhhhh I bet this is so good hot, slathered in butter!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 12, 2023 at 5:34 pm

        It is Mimi. And served with a cup of tea it goes so well!

        Reply
    5. Raymund | angsarap.net

      April 12, 2023 at 4:16 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing your family recipe for easy fruit loaf cake! It looks delicious and I can't wait to try it out. I love that it only requires a few simple ingredients that I likely already have on hand in my kitchen. It's also great to hear that it's a crowd-pleaser and perfect for entertaining. I appreciate you sharing your memories of making it with your mum and how it's a great recipe for kids to make too. Thanks again for sharing and I look forward to enjoying a slice with a cup of tea!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 12, 2023 at 5:34 pm

        Hope you get a chance to enjoy it with your family too Raymund! Thank you!

        Reply
    6. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      April 14, 2023 at 1:31 am

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous fruit cake made with just a few simple ingredients! It does look perfect indeed - crumbly, moist, and with such a beautiful golden-brown exterior! I would love this with some dried dates or apricots.

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 14, 2023 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks Ben! I'm pretty sure that either of, or both of those substitutes would work in this recipe too!

        Reply
    7. 2pots2cook

      April 14, 2023 at 12:31 pm

      5 stars
      My grandmother used to make a bread like this for Christmas and you just brought warm and lovely memories back! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 14, 2023 at 7:36 pm

        Aw that's nice. And yes, this is a great cake for Christmas and all year round too!

        Reply
    8. Simone @ Insimoneskitchen

      April 15, 2023 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      I love loafs like this Neil. Can't go wrong with that!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 16, 2023 at 7:37 am

        Thank you Simone! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    9. Rachael Cordy-Jones

      November 16, 2024 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      Really easy recipe and a lovely moist tasty fruit cake. Every loved it โค๏ธ thank you

      Reply
      • Neil

        November 17, 2024 at 4:16 am

        Glad everyone enjoyed it Rachael! Thanks for making and taking the time to rate and comment on the recipe too!

        Reply
    4.94 from 16 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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