This Orange Holiday Fruit Cake is a delicious fresh take on a classic dessert that is going to make you want to reach for seconds. It's super moist and delicious!
2 3/4cupsall purpose floursifted, plus 3 tbsps. for dusting fruits
5largeeggsroom temperature
1.5cupsgranulated sugar
1cupunsalted buttersoftened
1tbsp.baking powder
1tbsp.vanilla extract
3/4cupFlorida's Natural Orange Juice
1/4cupwhole milk yogurt
1/2cupgolden raisins
1cupFruit cake dried fruit mix
3/4cupglace green cherriescut in half
3/4cupglace red cherriescut in half
1/2tsp.orange extractoptional, if you want a bold orange flavor
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 F.
In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together. Set aside.
In another bowl coat the dried fruits very well with 3 tbsps. of flour (other than the 2 3/4 cups). Set aside. This step is a MUST or the fruits will sink to the bottom of the cake pan.
In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and the color becomes almost off white in color. About 3-5 minutes
Reduce the speed and gradually add in the eggs one at a time. Boost the speed to medium speed and whisk until the mixture fluffs up and becomes almost double in size. about 2-3 minutes.
Lower the speed and add in the yogurt and vanilla extract. If you are using orange extract add in now as well.
On low speed, add in the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with the orange juice. Continue mixing the mixture on low speed for about 2 minutes. The cake batter should be thick in consistency.
Fold 3/4 of the dried fruits into the cake mixture with a spatula. Do not over mix or mix on the mixing stand.
Spray a non-stick Bundt cake pan with non-stick baking spray generously and pour in the batter. Top with remainder of the dried fruits.
Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour on the middle rack of your oven. Insert a thin wooden skewer into the deepest part of the cake and make sure it comes out clean before removing from the oven.
Remove from the oven and cover with a kitchen towel until it cools down completely at room temperature. Cut and serve when cool.
Notes
You must coat the dried fruits with flour or they will sink to the bottom of your Bundt pan.
If you can't find the fruit cake fruit mix, you can buy different types of dried fruits like green cherries, red cherries, pineapple, apricot, kiwi, papaya and cut them up into small pieces and use that instead to make your own homemade fruit mix.
Must use a non-stick "baking spray" before pouring into the pan even if the pan is non stick as your fruit cake will stick.
If you want a bolder orange flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract or some orange zest into the mixture.
You can also add nuts like pecan or walnut to your fruit cake. If you do, make sure you break them up a little and coat with flour before adding into the cake batter.