Irish Boiled Fruitcake

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Cooling Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Difficulty Level: Easy Servings: 10–12 slices Cuisine: Irish / Traditional Category: Dessert / Tea Cake Ingredients Boiled Mixture 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar 1 cup (250ml) water 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (or margarine) 1½ cups

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• 9×5 inch loaf pan or 8-inch round cake tin
• Whisk and spoon or spatula
• Parchment paper
• Wire rack for cooling

Ingredients

Boiled Mixture

• 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
• 1 cup (250ml) water
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (or margarine)
• 1½ cups (225g) mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, chopped dates, currants) ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(106); });
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Zest of 1 orange or lemon (optional)

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Optional Add-ins

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 tablespoon molasses or treacle (for deeper flavor)
• 1 tablespoon Irish whiskey (if desired)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) . Line a loaf tin or cake pan with parchment paper or grease and flour it well. Set aside.

Step 2: Boil the Fruit Mixture

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, water, butter, dried fruit, spices, and citrus zest. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer. Let it gently boil for 5 minutes , then remove from heat.
2. Let the mixture cool for 10–15 minutes so it doesn’t scramble the eggs in the next step.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

1. Once the fruit mixture is lukewarm, stir in the beaten eggs (and molasses or whiskey if using). Mix until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet fruit mixture in batches, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If you’re using nuts, fold them in now.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55–65 minutes , or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be firm and golden brown.
2. Tip: If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve with butter, or simply enjoy as-is with a cup of Irish breakfast tea.

Nutrition

Calories: ~260 kcal · Protein: 3 g · Fat: 10 g · Carbohydrates: 38 g · Saturated Fat: 6 g · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 24 g · Sodium: 160 mg