Mary Berry Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe

Mary Berry Boiled Fruit Cake

The first time I made this, I didnโ€™t 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? Wellโ€ฆ everything, if you donโ€™t 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 Iโ€™ve baked. No soaking, no creamingโ€”just simmer, stir, and bake. Let me walk you through it.

WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE SPECIAL

Boiled fruit cakes get a bad rapโ€”people think theyโ€™re dense, dry, or stodgy. But Maryโ€™s version pulls off something brilliant:

  • Simmering the fruit in condensed milk and butter makes every bite taste like itโ€™s already been maturing for weeks.
  • No added sugarโ€”the 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-fatโ€”it turned out drier and less rich.
  • Salted Butter โ€“ Adds depth and balances the sweetness. Unsalted didnโ€™t 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 onceโ€”it 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 donโ€™t 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)โ€”worked, 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 currantsโ€”just keep the total weight the same.
  • Nutty Twist? Add 100g chopped walnuts or pecans right before baking. It brings a lovely crunch.

MISTAKES Iโ€™VE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Scrambled eggs in batterFruit mix too hotLet it cool at least 15 minutes before adding eggs
Cake too dark on topOven runs hot or baked too longTent with foil halfway through if browning too fast
Dense, gummy centreBatter too warm or overmixedMix gently and donโ€™t rush the cooling step

HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโ€™S 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 completelyโ€”about 15โ€“20 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 combinedโ€”donโ€™t 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 slicingโ€”flavour 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 foilโ€”it 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: Noโ€”the sweetness and texture wonโ€™t be right. Condensed is essential here.

Q: How do I stop the fruit from sinking?
A: Let the mix cool fully before baking, and donโ€™t overmix once flour is added.

Q: Can I make this in a different tin?
A: Yesโ€”a square 8-inch tin works, but check for doneness 10โ€“15 minutes earlier.

Q: Is it overly sweet?
A: Surprisingly, no. The dried fruit and condensed milk balance outโ€”itโ€™s rich, but not cloying.

Try More Recipes:

Mary Berry Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe

Course: CakesCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

2

hours 
Calories

320

kcal

This boiled fruit cake is rich, moist, and full of warm spice. Made by simmering dried fruit in condensed milk and butter, itโ€™s a one-pot wonder with incredible depthโ€”and 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 45โ€“2hrs 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 eggsโ€”trust me.
  • Tent with foil halfway through if the top is browning fast.
  • For best flavour, wait 2 days before slicingโ€”it only improves.
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