3 Ingredient Fruit Cake
This 3 ingredient fruit cake is the ultimate easy holiday bake — sweet, moist, and bursting with fruit flavor. Perfect for beginners or busy days, it’s a quick recipe that delivers nostalgic comfort and festive charm with almost no effort.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Sifter
- 20cm Round Springform Pan
- Baking Paper
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 kg mixed dried fruit sultanas, raisins, apricots, and citrus peel
- 2½ cups fruit juice orange, apple, or pineapple juice
- 2 cups self-raising flour for a light, tender crumb
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine dried fruit with 2 cups of fruit juice. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan). Grease and line a 20cm round springform pan with three layers of baking paper.
- Once fruit mixture has cooled, sift self-raising flour over it. Stir gently until combined, adding extra juice if the mixture feels too thick. The batter should look moist and glossy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake on the lowest oven shelf for about 2 hours, until the top is golden and a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool the cake completely in the pan before removing. Wrap in foil and store in an airtight container for 2–3 days to let flavors develop.
- Slice and serve with tea or coffee for a cozy, festive treat.
Notes
This cake celebrates the art of simple baking — inspired by modern ‘cheat’s recipes’ that still hold onto tradition. Fruit cakes like this are beloved around the holidays, and this version makes it accessible for everyone to enjoy.