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Osteoporosis Canada
Winter Fruit & Nut Cake

Winter Fruit & Nut Cake

Winter Fruit & Nut Cake Winter Fruit & Nut Cake

Winter Fruit & Nut Cake

PREP TIME: 25 mins
COOK TIME: 1 ¼ Hours
SERVES: 12 to 16

PREP TIME: 25 mins

COOK TIME: 1 ¼ Hours

SERVES: 12 to 16

Winter Fruit & Nut Cake

PREP TIME: 25 mins
COOK TIME: 1 ¼ Hours
SERVES: 12 to 16

Ingredients

This cake is packed full of seasonal warm spices, dried fruits and nuts – perfect with a cup of tea. A satisfying and delicious baked good that can be made and enjoyed the same day. Top with the cream cheese frosting to elevate this treat to a whole new level!

  • 1 cup (250 mL) walnut halves
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) drained glace or maraschino cherries
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped, pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) dried cranberries or raisins
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped dried apricots
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) orange zest
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) cooking or fancy molasses
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
  • Icing sugar (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting: 

  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) icing sugar
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) 35% whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Line an 8 x 4 inch (20 x 10 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together walnuts, cherries, dates, cranberries and apricots. Add orange zest and juice; stir to combine well; set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda and salt; set aside. 

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until combined. Add molasses and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in Greek yogurt and vanilla extract.

Sprinkle 3 tbsp (45 mL) of the flour mixture over fruit mixture and stir to coat. Add remaining flour mixture into butter mixture and stir to combine. Add all the fruit and nut mixture and fold in until no steaks of flour remain.  

Scrape into prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Let cool completely before slicing. Dust with icing sugar, if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter. Add icing sugar, cream and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy and smooth. Spread frosting over top of cooled loaf and slice to serve.

Mini Cakes Variation:

Use an 8 mini loaf pan (specify size here) and divide batter into each. Bake for about 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

Ingredients

This cake is packed full of seasonal warm spices, dried fruits and nuts – perfect with a cup of tea. A satisfying and delicious baked good that can be made and enjoyed the same day. Top with the cream cheese frosting to elevate this treat to a whole new level!

  • 1 cup (250 mL) walnut halves
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) drained glace or maraschino cherries
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped, pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) dried cranberries or raisins
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped dried apricots
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) orange zest
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) cooking or fancy molasses
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
  • Icing sugar (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting: 

  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) icing sugar
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) 35% whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
Preparation

Preheat oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Line an 8 x 4 inch (20 x 10 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together walnuts, cherries, dates, cranberries and apricots. Add orange zest and juice; stir to combine well; set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda and salt; set aside. 

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until combined. Add molasses and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in Greek yogurt and vanilla extract.

Sprinkle 3 tbsp (45 mL) of the flour mixture over fruit mixture and stir to coat. Add remaining flour mixture into butter mixture and stir to combine. Add all the fruit and nut mixture and fold in until no steaks of flour remain.  

Scrape into prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Let cool completely before slicing. Dust with icing sugar, if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter. Add icing sugar, cream and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy and smooth. Spread frosting over top of cooled loaf and slice to serve.

Mini Cakes Variation:

Use an 8 mini loaf pan (specify size here) and divide batter into each. Bake for about 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bone is a living tissue, that is constantly renewing and repairing itself from everyday wear and tear. However, many nutrients are absorbed less effectively as we age. Try the Nutrient Calculator to see if you are getting enough bone building nutrients in your daily diet.

NUTRIENT CALCULATOR
Emily Richards
Recipe by

Emily Richards

Professional Home Economist

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (1/12 slice with frosting)
  • Calories
    400
  • Fat
    21g
  • Saturated
    9g
  • Cholesterol
    70mg
  • Sodium
    300mg
  • Fibre
    3g
  • Potassium
    400mg
  • Carbohydrate
    50g
  • Sugars
    32g
  • Iron
    11%DV
  • Vitamin A
    16%DV
  • Vitamin C
    2%DV
  • Vitamin D
    0.2 µg
  • Vitamin K
    ≥6.5 µg
  • Calcium
    125mg
  • Protein
    7g
  • Magnesium
    50mg

Osteoporosis Canada’s position on nutrition for healthy bones focuses on calcium and vitamin D while stressing a well-balanced diet which includes fiber and whole grains, vitamins and minerals and protein.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bone is a living tissue, that is constantly renewing and repairing itself from everyday wear and tear. However, many nutrients are absorbed less effectively as we age. Try the Nutrient Calculator to see if you are getting enough bone building nutrients in your daily diet.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
  • Calories
    400
  • Saturated
    9g
  • Fat
    21g
  • Cholesterol
    70mg
  • Sodium
    300mg
  • Fibre
    3g
  • Potassium
    400mg
  • Carbohydrate
    50g
  • Sugars
    32g
  • Iron
    11%DV
  • Vitamin C
    2%DV
  • Calcium
    125mg
  • Protein
    7g
  • Vitamin A
    16%DV
  • Vitamin D
    0.2 µg
* The percentage of calcium is based on the Osteoporosis Canada’s daily calcium requirement for people under 50 years of age of 1000 mg.

Osteoporosis Canada’s position on nutrition for healthy bones focuses on calcium and vitamin D while stressing a well-balanced diet which includes fiber and whole grains, vitamins and minerals and protein.
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