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5 from 3 votes

Apricot, Cranberry and Pecan Fruit Cake

A light fruit cake with dried apricots, dried cranberries and pecan nuts with just a hint of spice. Decorated with honey glazed fruit and nuts.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: afternoon tea, Cake
Cuisine: British
Keyword: baking, family cake, fruitcake
Servings: 12
Calories: 300kcal

Equipment

  • 20cm (8iround deep cake tin
  • baking parchment
  • hand or stand mixer

Ingredients

  • 150 g (5oz) dried apricots chopped
  • 75 g (3oz) dried cranberries
  • 150 ml (¼pt) freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 100 g (3½oz) golden caster sugar
  • 75 g (3oz) muscovado sugar
  • 175 g (6oz) butter softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 225 g (8oz) plain flour
  • teaspoon baking powder
  • 50 g (2oz) pecans chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamon seeds or
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

To decorate

  • 6 tablespoon clear honey
  • 50 g (2oz) dried apricots
  • 25 g (1oz) dried cranberries
  • 25 g (1oz) pecan nuts

Instructions

  • Place 150g (5oz) chopped dried apricots, 75g (3oz) dried cranberries and 150ml (¼ pt)freshly squeezed orange juice and heat gently until the orange juice just comes to the boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  • Grease and line the base of a 20cm (8in) deep round cake tin with baking parchment. Preheat the oven to 180℃ (160℃ fan)/350°F/gas mark 4.
  • Place 100g (3½ oz) caster sugar, 75g (3oz) light muscovado sugar in a mixing bowl with 175g (6oz) butter and beat until pale and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Add 1 tablespoon of the 225g (8oz) plain flour with the last egg to help prevent curdling.
  • Add the cooled fruit, and pecan nuts to the bowl. Sift in the remaining flour and 1½ teaspoon baking powder. Then add ¼ teaspoon ground cardamon seeds or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Carefully fold the ingredients together until well mixed.
  • Pour into the prepared baking tin and bake in the centre of the oven for 50 minutes – 1 hour until risen golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool in the tin for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To decorate

  • Heat the honey in a small saucepan and stir in the dried apricots, cranberries and pecan nuts. Stir until well coated bring the honey to the boil, then allow to cool slightly before spooning around the edge of the cake. Allow to set before serving. Take care the honey will be extremely hot to begin with don't be tempted to taste it until fully cold.

Notes

I've used a mixture of caster sugar and light muscovado to add a little extra flavour to the cake but you can use all caster sugar if you prefer.
Ideally, allow the soaked fruit to cool completely before adding to the cake mix. If time is short and you need to add it while still warm.
Take extra care when spooning the honey glazed fruit on the cake. You need to do this before it is fully cooled but the honey will be extremely hot to begin with and could give a nasty burn if you get it on your skin.
Store
In an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze: undecorated for up to 3 months.
Calories are calculated using an online nutrition database and are approximate and meant as a guideline only

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal