18 Traditional British Desserts to Celebrate King Charles' Coronation

5/18 Previous Next

© iStock / Getty Images Plus / bhofack2

Traditional Fruit Cake

The recipe for this full-flavored fruit cake includes apricot jam and a touch of brandy. Chosen by Prince William and Kate as their wedding cake, why not try recreate the boozy royal favorite at home?

Ingredients for 10 servings:

For the cake:

• 1 1/2 cup (225 g) golden raisins
• 1 1/2 cup (170g) currants
• 1 1/2 cup (225 g) raisins
• 1 1/2 cup (360 ml) ginger beer
• 1 stick (110 g) butter 
• 1 1/2 cups (255 g) brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup (70 g) almonds
• 2 2/3 cups (350 g) flour
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
  

For the nut/glazed fruit topping:

• 2 cups (330 g) dried fruit (such as glace cherries, prunes and apricots) to decorate
• 1 cup (125 g) pecans
• 1/2 cup (165 g) apricot jam
• 2 tbsp brandy

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease a cake pan and line with parchment paper. 
2. Add the dried fruits to a bowl and pour over the ginger beer. Let soak for 6 hours.
   
3. Add the butter and brown sugar to a bowl, and mix until you have a creamy consistency. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Crush the almonds and stir into the mixture, along with the soaked fruit.
4. Stir in the flour, pumpkin pie spice and baking powder. Pour the mixture into the cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
5. Back for 3 hours in the preheated oven until a fork inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 24 hours.
6. To serve, arrange the dried fruit and nuts as desired on the cake. In a saucepan, heat the apricot jam and brandy together, and stir until smooth. Glaze the liquid over the fruit and nuts, and leave to set.