Mary Berry’s Boiled Fruit Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 375g mixed dried fruit
• 200g butter
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 eggs beaten
• 2 cups self-raising flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 160-180°C (320-356°F).
2. Grease a cake tin.
3. In a large saucepan, combine water, sugar, mixed dried fruit, butter, mixed spice, and bicarbonate of soda.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. Allow the boiled mixture to cool down.
6. Once cooled, gradually add the beaten eggs and self-raising flour.
7. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared greased cake tin.
9. Place the tin in the preheated oven.
10. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for a few minutes.
12. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Customize Ingredients. Adjust dried fruits or spices to taste while keeping the overall quantity consistent.
• Gently Combine. Avoid overmixing to preserve the cake’s moist texture; fold ingredients gently.
• Control Boiling. Ensure the fruit mixture gently boils to prevent excessive evaporation.
• Personalize Spices. Modify spice levels to suit individual preferences for flavor intensity.
• Even Thickness. Keep batter thickness uniform in the cake tin for consistent baking.