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Christmas Fruit Cake (Moist, No Alcohol) – Family Favorite Holiday Dessert

 This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclaimer page for more information. 

If you’re building a dessert table, be sure to check out mini Christmas brownies, mini Christmas cheesecake, and hot chocolate 3 ways for a complete spread.

The Christmas Fruit Cake is a classic holiday dessert that’s been a favorite for generations. This version is moist, rich, and completely alcohol-free, making it perfect for families, kids, and anyone who prefers a festive, flavorful cake without spirits.

With a blend of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, this cake is a must-bake for holiday parties, cozy winter evenings, and gifting. It’s trending on Pinterest, UK food blogs, and across US/Canada sites this December, thanks to its easy preparation, gorgeous texture, and Instagram-worthy look. 

⏱️ Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 12–16 slices

⭐ Rating: 4.9/5

🌟 Why This Fruit Cake Is a Must-Bake

  1. Moist & Soft: Soaked fruits and a perfectly balanced batter create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

  2. Family-Friendly: No alcohol, no worries — perfect for all ages.

  3. Easy to Decorate: Top with nuts, candied fruits, or a simple powdered sugar dusting.

  4. Long-Lasting: Can be stored for up to a week, making it ideal for holiday prep.

  5. Pinterest-Worthy: Classic Christmas colors and textures make it photogenic.

📝 Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

  • ½ tsp ground allspice

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed

  • 3 large eggs

  • ½ cup plain yogurt

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Fruits & Nuts

  • 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, chopped dates, apricots)

  • ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

  • 2 tbsp orange juice (or apple juice)

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • Zest of 1 orange

  • Optional: glace cherries for decoration

👩‍🍳 Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prep Fruits

  1. In a small bowl, combine dried fruits, nuts, orange juice, and lemon juice.

  2. Let soak for 30 minutes while preparing the batter — this ensures a moist cake.

Step 2 — Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan

  • Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F.

  • Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.

Step 3 — Make the Batter

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

  3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract and yogurt.

  4. Fold in the flour mixture gradually until just combined.

Step 4 — Combine with Fruits

  • Gently fold the soaked fruits and nuts into the batter.

  • Make sure they are evenly distributed but don’t overmix to keep the cake light.

Step 5 — Bake the Cake

  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth the top.

  • Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

  • Check after 45 minutes; if the top browns too fast, cover with foil.

Step 6 — Cool & Decorate

  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

  • Optionally decorate with glace cherries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a simple orange glaze.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

  • Slice and serve with a cup of hot chocolate or tea.

  • Add a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

  • Perfect as part of a holiday dessert platter with cookies and cupcakes.

❄️ Storage

  • Room Temperature: Airtight container, up to 5 days.

  • Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks — let come to room temperature before serving.

  • Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

❓ FAQ 

1. Can I use any dried fruits?
Yes! Apricots, figs, raisins, dates, cranberries — all work beautifully.

2. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

3. Can I make it nut-free?
Absolutely. Simply omit nuts or use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.

4. How do I keep it moist?
Soaking the fruits in juice before baking and not overbaking are key to a moist cake.

5. Can I make it a day ahead?
Yes! In fact, letting it sit a day enhances the flavors.

6. Can I decorate with marzipan or fondant?
Yes — it adds a festive touch and is great for gifting.

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