Polish Keks Recipe (Traditional Polish Fruitcake)

This delicious tea-time cake is freckled with assorted dried fruits and traditionally served around Christmas time. It’s easy to make and deliciously sweet and colorful, especially when served on a hand-painted authentic Polish cake stand! A quick and easy recipe, this cake will have you reaching for your tea and licking your lips. Let’s begin!

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½  cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, candied fruit, etc.)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

Before You Begin:

1. Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃).
2. Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) loaf pan

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together both the butter and the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Crack and add the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat the mixture well after each egg is added.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking them together.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until the two are just combined.
5. Add and mix in the dried fruit, vanilla extract, and lemon zest (optional).
6. Once mixed, pour the batter into the baking loaf pan or round baking dish, placing in the oven to bake for about 60-70 minutes. When done, a toothpick should be poked in the center and come out clean.
7. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for approximately 10 minutes, removing it and transferring it to a cooling rack to allow it to cool completely.

Boil some tea, add a little cream and honey, plate your cake on a gorgeous, hand-decorated traditional Polish pottery dish, and dig in! For more delicious recipes and beautiful stoneware, visit our blog and website to find out more!