A delightful twist on the classic pound cake, this version is infused with a medley of mixed fruits. Each slice offers a burst of sweet, juicy fruit combined with a buttery, tender cake. Perfect for a brunch or as a light dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 ½ cups mixed dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, apricots, chopped)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for coating fruit)
- Optional: 1 cup fresh fruit (e.g., blueberries, chopped strawberries)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare Mixed Fruit: Toss the dried mixed fruit with 1 tablespoon of flour to coat. This helps prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Fruit: Gently fold in the coated mixed dried fruit (and fresh fruit, if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Slice and serve. Enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the types of fruit to your liking, or add nuts for extra texture!