Begin by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). This temperature ensures gradual baking, allowing the flavors to meld without burning the cake’s exterior.
Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper, ensuring easy removal of the cake after baking.
2. Mixing the Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the mixed dried fruits and all-purpose flour. The flour coating on the fruits helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.
Once the fruits are evenly coated with flour, pour in the entire can of sweetened condensed milk. The creamy texture of the milk binds the ingredients together, creating a cohesive batter.
3. Baking:
Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Gently press it down, ensuring there are no air pockets and that the batter is evenly distributed.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
4. Cooling and Serving:
Once baked, remove the fruitcake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps the cake settle before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, slice the fruitcake into desired portions. The flavors tend to deepen and meld together even more over time, making it a fantastic make-ahead dessert.