Vegan Fruit Cake Recipe (Moist, Tender, Dairy-Free!)

September 26, 2024

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My vegan fruit cake is as pleasant as it’s health-conscious – excellent for anybody seeking to make one thing particular for the vacations, events, or for present giving. This recipe is a contemporary twist on a basic seasonal favourite, providing all the comfortable, moist, and nostalgic flavors with a vegan-friendly twist. With no eggs or dairy in sight, it’s an inclusive dessert or snack that anybody can take pleasure in.

easy healthy vegan fruit cake recipe sliced on parchment paper

What makes my fruit cake actually particular is the mix of dried fruits like grapes, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, and apples that burst with juicy taste in each chunk. Made with vegan butter, plant-based milk, and chia seed eggs, this cake isn’t just allergy-friendly but additionally filled with healthful substances.

This completely spiced, dense loaf mirrors the standard fruit cake everyone knows and love. It’s a candy, flavorful companion to vacation festivities or any special day that everybody will get to savor. That is the proper ending to a giant vacation meal of mashed potatoes, vegan turkey, and all of the fixings!

This actually is the perfect straightforward vegan fruit cake recipe ever! What I really like about this recipe is that it’s naturally dairy-free and egg-free, making it an ideal alternative for these with dietary restrictions or anybody who merely prefers plant-based choices.

Plus, in the event you want a gluten-free model, this recipe can simply accommodate that too, so everybody can benefit from the festive deal with (simply see my notes on how to do that).

This fruit cake delivers on style and texture! It’s not soggy or mealy like conventional fruit desserts. The batter is combined with dried fruits, calmly sweetened with brown sugar, and seasoned with simply the correct quantity of spice to make it a standout dessert. It’s fruity and nutty, with a comforting, comfortable and hearty texture.

And it smells completely heavenly when baking! I’ve taken a standard Christmas recipe and given it a vegan twist, making certain it’s each wholesome and indulgent with out compromising any of the flavour or consolation of this moist, tender loaf.

Whether or not you’re celebrating the vacations or simply in search of a particular deal with to take pleasure in any time of the yr, this UK type vegan fruit cake is a superb alternative.

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🥘 Elements

My straightforward vegan fruit cake recipe requires just some substances. Here’s what I take advantage of:

ingredients for easy healthy vegan fruit cake recipe - christmas fruit loaf

Dried Fruit: I take advantage of a mix of raisins, currants, dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, and dried apples. You should utilize any dried fruit you want. Be at liberty so as to add in some nuts as effectively—walnuts and pecans work rather well!

Entire Wheat Flour: This provides a delicate nuttiness and extra complete grains. Plain flour may also work in the event you choose.

Melted Coconut Oil: I take advantage of this as a wealthy, dairy-free substitute for normal butter. Vegan butter or vegetable oil would additionally work you probably have these readily available.

Plant-Based mostly Milk: Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, and soy milk all work effectively on this dairy-free fruit cake recipe. I personally use almond milk for its delicate taste.

Chia Seed Eggs: I create a gelatinous combination by combining 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with 4 tablespoons of water. This acts as a binding agent and a plant-based egg replacer.

Gentle Brown Sugar: I discover that this retains the cake moist and provides a beautiful sweetness.

Cinnamon: I really like including a splash of this festive spice. It’s also possible to embody a little bit of floor nutmeg and even pumpkin pie spice for further taste.

👩🏽‍🍳 How To Make Vegan Fruit Cake

Learn to make my moist vegan fruit cake recipe with my step-by-step directions. Take a look at my how-to video under to see this recipe in motion!

Preheat Oven, Combine Moist Elements: First, I preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit. In a big bowl, I mix the plant-based milk, vegan butter (or oil), sugar, and chia seed eggs, mixing till easy. Whereas a stand mixer is an possibility, I discover {that a} easy mixing bowl and whisk do the job simply wonderful.

Combine Dry Elements: Subsequent, I gently whisk within the dry substances: all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon, till all the pieces is simply mixed.

Add Dried Fruit & Nuts: Now I gently fold within the dried fruit and add in a couple of walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds if desired, ensuring to not over combine the batter.

wet and dry ingredients mixed together in a bowl

Bake: As soon as the batter is prepared, I switch it right into a loaf tin lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. I take advantage of a 13×5 inch loaf pan and bake the cake within the preheated oven for 80-90 minutes, or till it turns a beautiful golden brown.

Let Cool: After baking, I let the cake cool within the pan for 15-20 minutes earlier than eradicating it and permitting it to chill fully on a wire rack.

easy healthy vegan fruit cake recipe on parchment paper

Serve: As soon as it’s totally cooled, I slice it up and serve. Having fun with a bit of this vegan Christmas fruit cake is at all times a deal with!

My #1 Secret Tip for making the perfect vegan fruit cake recipe is to let the batter relaxation for about half-hour earlier than baking.

This permits the dried fruit to soak up a number of the moisture from the batter, leading to a extra evenly distributed and moist texture all through the cake. It additionally provides the flavors a bit extra time to meld collectively, enhancing the general style. So, after mixing all the pieces up, don’t rush straight to the oven—give the batter somewhat time to relaxation and also you’ll find yourself with a richer, extra flavorful cake.

Different Suggestions To Maintain In Thoughts:

Chop Dry Fruits: I make certain to cut my dried fruits earlier than including them to the batter. Bigger fruit chunks usually tend to settle on the backside of the cake, so chopping helps distribute them evenly.
Measure Dried Fruit: I follow utilizing 300 grams of dried fruit on this recipe. Including extra could make the cake too dense and difficult.
Test for Doneness: To make sure my eggless fruit cake is correctly baked, I insert a toothpick into the middle. If it comes out clear, I do know the cake is able to come out of the oven.
Let The Cake Cool Earlier than Slicing: That is so vital to getting a young crumb and making certain the cake doesn’t crumble! For those who slice it after cooling, you’ll get completely clear slices, however in the event you slice it too early, it’ll turn into crumbly and received’t maintain collectively as effectively.

📖 Variations

Totally different Fruit: I like to make use of dried mango chunks as a substitute of a berry and cherry combination for a novel twist on the basic fruit cake. The tropical taste of mango provides a pleasant contact to the cake. For one more tropical twist on this wholesome fruit cake recipe, I swirl ardour fruit purée all through the fruit loaf earlier than baking. To boost the tropical taste, I additionally add shredded coconut, lemon zest, 1 / 4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a few candied fruit like pineapple.

Vegan Plum Cake: I take advantage of dried plums (prunes) soaked in a mix of orange juice and orange zest to create a tart and tangy vegan Christmas cake. This mixture provides an exquisite depth of taste.

Rum Cake: For an additional contact of decadence, I soak the dried fruit in rum or brandy in a single day. Each choices work effectively to infuse the cake with wealthy, deep flavors.

Extra Spices: I customise the flavour of my fruit cake by including spices. In addition to cinnamon, I generally add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or perhaps a little bit of ginger for further heat and depth. Simply make sure to not overwhelm the opposite flavors.

Gluten-Free Vegan Fruit Cake: To make this Christmas cake recipe gluten-friendly, I swap out the entire wheat flour for oat flour, finely floor almonds, or a favourite gluten-free flour combination. This adjustment ensures that everybody can take pleasure in a slice of this festive deal with.

Mini Loaf Pans: For a enjoyable twist, I wish to bake my cake batter in 3 or 4 mini loaf pans for festive presents! For those who go for mini desserts, simply bear in mind to regulate the baking time accordingly as it should want much less time to bake.

🍽 Serving Recommendations

Whereas this English vegan fruit cake is scrumptious by itself, listed here are a few of my favourite pairing combos.

Desserts: I really like pairing this vegan model of a standard Christmas fruit cake with different basic and comforting vacation desserts. Attempt serving this moist cake alongside my wholesome pumpkin pie, cherry pie with frozen cherries, snickerdoodles with out cream of tartar.

Drinks: A slice of fruit cake and a piping sizzling mug of wholesome sizzling chocolate with cinnamon or a basic cup of tea is at all times a favourite of mine!

🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating

With regards to storing my vegan fruit cake, I make certain to maintain it contemporary and scrumptious for so long as attainable. I like to recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and storing it in an hermetic container.

Make Forward: I typically make my vegan fruitcake recipe forward of time. The truth is, it may be even higher after a couple of days because the flavors have extra time to meld. I retailer it wrapped tightly to maintain it contemporary after which simply slice and serve when wanted.

Fridge: To maintain it for greater than every week, I wish to refrigerate it to take care of its moisture and taste for as much as 2 weeks.

Freezer: For longer storage, I wrap leftover slices in plastic wrap to forestall freezer burn and freeze for as much as 6 months. When able to take pleasure in, merely thaw it at room temperature, and it’ll be simply as pleasant because the day you baked it!

Reheating: If you wish to take pleasure in this fruit cake heat, like I do, then merely reheat it for 10-15 seconds within the microwave!

❓Recipe FAQs

HOW DO YOU KEEP THIS FRUIT CAKE MOIST?

One of the best ways to maintain your cake moist is to soak your dry fruit previous to baking to make sure it’s further plump. I wish to soak the fruit in water, fruit juice, or (in the event you like a boozy vegan fruit cake) in brandy or rum. Soaked dried fruits shall be partially rehydrated, conserving the vegan fruit loaf moist and flavorful whereas enhancing the general texture.

CAN I USE FRESH FRUIT INSTEAD OF DRIED FRUIT?

I choose utilizing dried fruit as a result of it provides sweetness and texture with out including an excessive amount of moisture. Recent fruit might be too watery and would possibly have an effect on the consistency of the cake. If I actually need to use contemporary fruit, I’d advocate utilizing it together with dried fruit and adjusting the recipe to account for further moisture.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE CHIA SEEDS FOR THE EGG REPLACER?

If I don’t have chia seeds, I take advantage of a flaxseed meal in its place. I combine 2 tablespoons of floor flaxseed with 4 tablespoons of water and let it sit till it turns into gel-like, identical to chia seeds. Different egg replacers like applesauce or mashed banana can work as effectively, although they may barely alter the flavour.

HOW DO I PREVENT MY FRUIT CAKE FROM STICKING TO THE PAN?

I line my loaf pan with parchment paper to forestall sticking. I additionally calmly grease the paper earlier than pouring within the batter. This helps be sure that the cake comes out easily after baking.

HOW DO I GET EVENLY DISTRIBUTED FRUIT IN MY CAKE?

To make sure the fruit is evenly distributed, I toss it in a little bit of flour earlier than including it to the batter. This helps forestall the fruit from sinking to the underside. I additionally fold it in gently to keep away from overmixing, which might have an effect on the cake’s texture.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CAKE IS BURNING ON THE OUTSIDE BUT STILL RAW INSIDE?

If the cake is burning on the surface however stays uncooked inside, I decrease the oven temperature and canopy the cake with aluminum foil to forestall additional browning. I then proceed baking till a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clear.

stacked slices of easy healthy vegan fruit cake recipe

slice of easy healthy vegan fruit cake recipe sliced on a plate

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