Honey Fruit Cake Loaf

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• Flour — 2 cups (250g)

• Baking powder — 1 tsp

• Baking soda — ½ tsp

• Mixed spice or nutmeg — 1 tsp

• Salt — a pinch

Wet Ingredients

• Melted butter or vegetable oil — ½ cup (113g butter or 120ml oil)

• Honey — ½ cup

• Brown sugar — ½ cup (100g)

• Eggs — 3 large

• Vanilla — 1 tsp

• Orange zest — 1 tsp (optional)

• Orange juice — ¼ cup (60ml)

Fruits

• Mixed dried fruits — 1½ cups (about 200–220g)

(raisins, sultanas, cherries, pawpaw, pineapple, cranberries—your choice)

• 2 tbsp flour for tossing fruits

Instructions

Prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper and preheating your oven to 170°C. Toss the mixed fruits in 2 tablespoons of flour so they don’t sink to the bottom.

In a bowl, combine melted butter, honey, brown sugar, eggs, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla, stirring until smooth.

In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, mixed spice, and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and fold gently until combined.

Mix the floured fruits into the batter and fold lightly.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan, smooth the top, and bake for 45–55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Allow the loaf to cool. For extra shine and moisture, brush the top with a tablespoon of warm honey while still warm.