Vanilla fruit cake

Vanilla fruit cake is a delightful and versatile dessert that pairs a tender vanilla cake with a variety of fresh or dried fruits. Here’s a recipe to make a delicious vanilla fruit cake:

Ingredients:

For the Vanilla Cake:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Fruit Mix:

• 1 ½ cups (180g) mixed fresh or dried fruits (such as berries, chopped apples, raisins, or dried apricots)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to coat the fruit and prevent sinking)

For Optional Glaze:

• ¼ cup (60ml) apricot jam or fruit syrup
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vanilla Cake:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, until just combined.

2. Prepare the Fruit Mix:

1. Coat the Fruit: In a small bowl, toss the fresh or dried fruits with 2 tablespoons of flour. This helps to prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.

2. Fold in Fruit: Gently fold the coated fruit into the cake batter.

3. Bake the Cake:

1. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.

2. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Prepare the Optional Glaze:

1. Heat Jam/Syrup: In a small saucepan, heat the apricot jam or fruit syrup with 1 tablespoon of water over low heat until it becomes liquid and smooth.

2. Brush the Cake: Brush the glaze over the cooled cake to add a glossy finish and extra flavor.

5. Serve:

• Garnish: You can optionally garnish the cake with additional fresh fruit or a dusting of powdered sugar.

• Slice and Enjoy: Slice and serve the vanilla fruit cake at room temperature.

Enjoy your vanilla fruit cake! It’s a perfect combination of soft vanilla cake with the natural sweetness and texture of fruit.