Moist fruit loaf with dried fruits, nuts, and citrus glaze, ideal for holiday sharing and gifting.
# What You Need:
→ Dried Fruits and Nuts
01 - 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped apricots, or cranberries)
02 - 1/2 cup mixed unsalted nuts, chopped (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
03 - 1/4 cup orange juice
→ Cake Batter
04 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1 tsp baking powder
06 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
07 - 1/4 tsp salt
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
11 - 1/4 cup milk
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
14 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
15 - Zest of 1 orange
→ Glaze
16 - 1 cup powdered sugar
17 - 2 to 3 tbsp orange juice
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Combine dried fruits, chopped nuts, and orange juice in a small bowl. Let soak while preparing batter.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
04 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy in a large bowl. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and orange zest.
05 - Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
06 - Fold soaked dried fruits and nuts along with any remaining juice into the batter.
07 - Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly.
08 - Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
09 - Allow loaf to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled loaf and let set before slicing or wrapping.
