The first time I made this, I didnโt expect much. I had a tin of condensed milk nearing its best-before and a cupboard full of leftover raisins and cherries from Christmas. What could go wrong? Wellโฆ everything, if you donโt let the fruit cool before adding the eggs (hello, sweet scrambled mess). But once I figured out that one critical step, this turned into one of the easiest, most dependable fruit cakes Iโve baked. No soaking, no creamingโjust simmer, stir, and bake. Let me walk you through it.
WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE SPECIAL
Boiled fruit cakes get a bad rapโpeople think theyโre dense, dry, or stodgy. But Maryโs version pulls off something brilliant:
- Simmering the fruit in condensed milk and butter makes every bite taste like itโs already been maturing for weeks.
- No added sugarโthe condensed milk does all the work without overpowering it.
- It gets better every single day. I served a slice on day 4 and it was peak perfection.
Honestly, the lack of fuss is half the charm. One pot, one bowl, one glorious result.
INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER
- Condensed Milk (full-fat) โ Sweetens and binds everything. I tested low-fatโit turned out drier and less rich.
- Salted Butter โ Adds depth and balances the sweetness. Unsalted didnโt cut it.
- Raisins, Golden Raisins, Currants โ Each brings its own flavour. Currants give a tart edge that cuts the richness.
- Maraschino Cherries โ Sticky, sweet, and colourful. I tried glacรฉ onceโit melted too much.
- All-Purpose Flour โ Holds everything together without making it too cakey.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice + Cinnamon โ Adds warm, autumnal notes that make it feel festive without being cloying.
- Baking Powder โ Gives just enough lift.
- Eggs โ Help bind and set. But only if you donโt cook them prematurely (learn from me).
MAKING IT YOURS (WITHOUT RUINING IT)
- Egg-Free? I tested with two flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed + 5 tbsp water)โworked, but the texture was slightly gummy.
- Gluten-Free? Yes, a 1:1 GF flour blend worked beautifully. Slightly shorter bake (1hr 40).
- Fruit Swaps? Dried apricots, prunes, or chopped dates all work in place of the currantsโjust keep the total weight the same.
- Nutty Twist? Add 100g chopped walnuts or pecans right before baking. It brings a lovely crunch.
MISTAKES IโVE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Scrambled eggs in batter | Fruit mix too hot | Let it cool at least 15 minutes before adding eggs |
Cake too dark on top | Oven runs hot or baked too long | Tent with foil halfway through if browning too fast |
Dense, gummy centre | Batter too warm or overmixed | Mix gently and donโt rush the cooling step |
HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโS BOILED FRUIT CAKE
1. Prep the Pan
Grease and line a 7-inch round tin with parchment. Preheat oven to 150ยฐC (300ยฐF).
2. Simmer the Fruit
In a large saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter, raisins, golden raisins, currants, and cherries. Stir over low heat until the butter melts, then simmer gently for 5 minutes. Let cool completelyโabout 15โ20 minutes.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
4. Combine
Make a well in the flour. Add eggs and the cooled fruit mixture. Stir gently until just combinedโdonโt overmix.
5. Bake
Pour into the prepared tin and level the top. Bake for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. A skewer should come out clean.
6. Cool
Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.
TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN
- I always wait at least 2 days before slicingโflavour deepens and texture improves.
- I use a 20-year-old metal tin for this one. Ceramic made the bottom soggy.
- I set a timer at 90 minutes to tent the top with foilโit keeps the colour golden, not burnt.
STORAGE + SERVING
- Room Temp: Wrap in parchment and foil, store in an airtight tin for up to 1 week.
- Fridge: Keeps 2 weeks. Let it come to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Wrap in cling film and foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaws overnight at room temp.
- Serve with: A strong cup of black tea or a dab of salted butter if you’re feeling cheeky.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk?
A: Noโthe sweetness and texture wonโt be right. Condensed is essential here.
Q: How do I stop the fruit from sinking?
A: Let the mix cool fully before baking, and donโt overmix once flour is added.
Q: Can I make this in a different tin?
A: Yesโa square 8-inch tin works, but check for doneness 10โ15 minutes earlier.
Q: Is it overly sweet?
A: Surprisingly, no. The dried fruit and condensed milk balance outโitโs rich, but not cloying.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Mary Berry Chocolate Cupcakes With Ganache Icing
- Mary Berry Super Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake
Mary Berry Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe
Course: CakesCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy12
servings20
minutes2
hours320
kcalThis boiled fruit cake is rich, moist, and full of warm spice. Made by simmering dried fruit in condensed milk and butter, itโs a one-pot wonder with incredible depthโand no need for overnight soaking. A proper keeper for teatime or gifting.
Ingredients
1 ร 397g can full-fat condensed milk
150g salted butter
225g raisins
225g golden raisins
175g currants
175g maraschino cherries, roughly chopped
225g all-purpose flour
2ยฝ tsp baking powder
ยฝ tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 extra-large eggs
Directions
- Preheat oven to 150ยฐC (300ยฐF). Grease and line a 7-inch round cake tin.
- In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter, and all dried fruits. Heat gently until butter melts, then simmer for 5 minutes. Cool completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
- Add eggs and cooled fruit mixture. Stir until combined.
- Pour into prepared tin, level top, and bake for 1hr 45โ2hrs until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool in tin for 10 mins, then cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
- Always cool the fruit mix thoroughly before adding eggsโtrust me.
- Tent with foil halfway through if the top is browning fast.
- For best flavour, wait 2 days before slicingโit only improves.