Ingredients

  • 1½ cups mixed dried fruit
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Method

  1. Heat oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line a loaf pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt separately.
  4. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Mix gently.
  5. Fold in dried fruit and nuts.
  6. Pour into the pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake 50–60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
  8. Cool for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely.

Tip: Soak the dried fruit in warm water or orange juice for 15–20 minutes first for a softer, richer cake.