Heavenly Moist Fruit Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup milk or buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1½ cups mixed dried fruits
• ½ cup glazed cherries, halved
• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 2 tbsp orange juice or rum

Instructions:

1. Soak dried fruits and cherries in orange juice or rum for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 340°F (170°C). Grease and line a loaf pan.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Cream butter with both sugars until light. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and orange zest.
5. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in drained fruits, cherries, and nuts.
7. Pour batter into pan and bake 55–65 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
8. Cool in pan 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.