This recipe takes the classic fruitcake and gives it a modern twist by incorporating cookie crumbs into the batter. The result is a moist and flavorful cake filled with colorful dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and the comforting taste of vanilla cookies. It's a perfect dessert for holiday gatherings or as a thoughtful homemade gift. Prepare to be amazed by how quickly this cake will disappear!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup crushed vanilla cookies
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, cranberries, apricots)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, pecans)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the crushed vanilla cookies, dried fruits, and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
- Slice and serve the Smart Cookie Fruit Cake as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
