Originating from France and Italy, when seasonal sweet fruits were used to flavor the cakes and accepted as nature's bounty. Initially popularised in Europe, they made their way to America in the 20th century. After WWII when home baking trended, Fresh fruit cakes gained popularity due to being fresh, light, and having appetizing visual appeal. Influencing the population to shift to healthy dishes and refreshing taste
What is a Fresh Fruit Cake?
In a fresh fruit cake, fruits are either a part of the cake batter or fresh fruits are added as a decorative topping on the cake. Unlike traditional dry fruit cakes, these cakes use fresh fruits that add sweetness and juiciness to the cake. Fruit cakes enhance the taste and flavor of the general cake sponge and make it refreshing and appetizing.
Key Ingredients of Fresh Fruit Cake
*Note: This is a standard recipe for the cake that will serve 2 to 4 people.
Here is the list of ingredients for fresh fruit cake
For the Cake:
- 125 grams of all-purpose flour
- 100 grams of granulated sugar
- 55 grams of unsalted butter, softened
- 120 ml milk
- 1 egg
- 5 grams of baking powder
- 2.5 ml vanilla extract
- 1 Cup sliced Almonds (for decoration - optional)
- Assorted fresh fruits (such as Apples, kiwis, cherries, dragon fruit, plum, etc.)
For Frosting:
- 300 grams of whipped cream
- 2-4 tablespoons powdered sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)
Fresh Fruit Cake Recipe Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the base and sides of a heart-shaped cake pan
We will start by preheating the oven for 5-10 minutes and this will ensure our cake bakes evenly from all sides. Meanwhile, we will grease the cake pan with vegetable oil or butter to prevent our cake from sticking to any side of the pan and when removing the cake will be a perfect heart shape.
2. Prepare the fruits and Set aside
We will take all our fresh fruits and wash them with water and salt mixture to ensure there is no dust, dirt, or chemical residue on them. If some fruits require deseeding and peeling we will ensure it is done to make the fruits ready for use. We will evenly slice and dice our fruits in a visually appealing manner and ensure they align with our decoration idea.
3. Mix the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, put together the all-purpose flour and baking powder and mix all together. We mix these dry ingredients to remove any lumps in the final cake batter, resulting in a lighter texture in the final cake.
4. Mix the butter and sugar
In another bowl, mix the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and fluffy. This process will incorporate air into the mixture, resulting in a soft cake.
5. Combine egg and vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract in a small bowl until well combined. This mixture works as a binding agent and provides flavor and moisture to the cake sponge.
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients
Take a large bowl and add all the dry ingredients into it. Gradually pour wet ingredients in it and milk to retain a good amount of moisture in the batter. Milk will keep the mixture smooth and velvety while mixing wet ingredients gradually will keep the batter light and fluffy.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared heart-shaped cake pan and Bake the cake
Get your greased heart-shaped cake pan and pour the batter evenly into the cake pan. This will ensure that the cake will rise evenly. Put the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes check by poking a toothpick into the center of the cake after 25 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is perfectly cooked.
8. Cook the cake and prepare the whipped cream.
Take your cake out of the cake pan and set it aside for at least 10 minutes to cool down. Meanwhile, prepare your whipped cream. Take a hand mixer and whip the heavy cream, gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream and blend till stiff peaks are made. Do not overwhip the mixture for the best smooth and creamy texture.
9. Add whipping cream to the cake
Take your cooled cake and cut it into equal halves. Take a spoonful of whipping cream at a time and spread it evenly between your cake sponges. Arrange the cake add whipping cream all around the cake and cover the cake entirely with the whipping cream smoothly.
10. Assemble your fruit toppings
Take your pre-cut fruits and decorate them nicely on the cake. Let your creativity shine and make visually attractive designs with all fruit pieces. Take your sliced almonds and decorate the sides of your cake with those almonds to add more texture and appeal to your cake.
With this step, your Fresh fruit cake is completed. You have now ensured that you are a cake master and you have successfully made a refreshing and delightful cake for your loved ones.
About Our Chef
This recipe is made by our master Chef Shikha Kapoor, who runs A premium bakery and cafe - Belly Amy’s. Her expertise in creating mouth-melting flavors for her bakery has made her dessert popular and trending locally. She has crafted her unmatched recipes after years of learning in culinary school and continuous taste testing to find and create the best flavors for all cake enthusiasts.
