Cherry Orchard Fruit Cake with Cherries and Almonds
A gorgeous fragrant, rich, moist fruit cake, bursting with cherries, almonds & plump, juicy vine fruits & steeped in fragrant Cherry Bakewell Tart liqueur.
Since moving ‘up North’, I’ve discovered the joy of pairing fruit cake with cheese – a Yorkshire tradition and a match made in heaven! I think that the sweet, fragrant cherries and delicate almonds in the Cherry Orchard fruit cake are matched by a stronger, hard cheese such as the buttery Black Bomber – a fabulously strong cheese which packs a punch but is also slightly sweet with a hint of caramel and ‘oh so delicious’ creamy texture.
Cherries
Candying fruit was devised as a method of preserving food. It takes about ten days for a tray of cherries to become Glacé Cherries. In past times, fruit was preserved in honey. It was only around the time of the Crusades that it was replaced by sugar.
Almonds
The almond belongs to the same family of trees as the plum, the peach and the apricot ... and the cherry ... and also the rose family and is sometimes know as ‘the queen of the rose family’. In the Hebrew Bible, the almond was a symbol of watchfulness and promise due to its early flowering.
Fruit Cake and Cheese
If you like a strong cheese then try a Vintage Lincolnshire Poacher with a rich full flavour and a lovely, smooth, lingering aftertaste, often with a hint of sweetness. Alternatively, choose your favourite full flavoured Cheddar such as the piquant, crystally Cornish Cruncher or an authentic vintage cheese from Cheddar itself.
Susan (verified owner) –
My sister sent me a Cinnamon Pippin through the post as a pick me up … a delicious winter spiced cake which went perfectly with my afternoon mug of tea. Loved it!
Pamela Brookshaw (verified owner) –
A friend sent me this delightfully presented and truly delicious fruit cake as a surprise gift during lockdown last year. It was such a lovely surprise and such a yummy cake that I ordered another … and another … and another …. as gifts for family members. It really is a ‘hug in a tin’ and makes a marvellous present in the post.
Jane (verified owner) –
Thank you so much for your kind words Pamela, so glad to hear that you were so taken with your gift. It has given me lots of pleasure to be able to spread a little cheer with my fruit cakes in these strange and difficult times. Jane x
Miriam Craig –
I got one of these in my office’s Christmas hamper last year and it was amazing. Fulfilled exactly what I want out of a fruitcake – rich and moist and would keep for ages if it wasn’t so delicious. Will be buying (for myself and as a gift) in future.
Jane (verified owner) –
Thanks Miriam! Christmas is coming up very quickly. Getting ready for a busy time! x
Siobhán (verified owner) –
Tried this as part of the mini cake tasters and straight away ordered
Up the full size one for a treat. The others were delicious too and will be putting in a Christmas order as they make a fabulous gift and are something different to give -much better than socks!!
Emma –
Cherry-lover LOVED your Cherry Orchard fruit cake … he’s still loving it as it is packed with fruit and flavour, and he’ll hopefully have a few more days of joy … if he paces himself! 🙂 The whole cherries are acely flavoursome, but the bonus were the fab whole-almonds … super and stand-out compared to other fruit cakes. We tried your cake with a strong cheddar, V yummy combo – also with a strong Italian coffee; lovely! We have no hesitation in recommending this super cake, and the delightful tin keeps that flavour in the cake so well. Plus the gift-card that you added was a lovely design. All round SOOPER DOOPS!!! Thank you!
Jane (verified owner) –
Thanks very much Emma – very glad to hear that your dad enjoyed his teatime treat! x
Emma –
Yesterday we ordered this cake as a Father s Day gift for a dedicated cherry lover … and a day later it’s arrived! Fabulous delivery service. We look forward to the cherry lover’s reaction on Sunday – and will let you know! Thank you for being so speedy whizz!!! V best to you.