Porter cake is a classic British dessert that has stood the test of time, loved for its rich, moist texture and deep flavor profile. This traditional fruitcake gets its unique character from the infusion of porter beer, which adds a subtle maltiness and complexity that you won’t find in any other cake.
Perfect for holiday celebrations, special occasions, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea, porter cake combines the warmth of dried fruits, spices, and the slight bitterness of the beer to create an unforgettable treat.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner eager to try something new, this porter cake recipe is straightforward and yields a deliciously moist, flavorful cake every time. It’s also wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to customize the dried fruit and spice mix to suit your preferences.
Ready to bake a cake that’s full of character and charm? Let’s dive into this timeless recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This porter cake recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional fruitcake, featuring porter beer as a key ingredient that enriches the flavor and keeps the cake exceptionally moist. It’s not overly sweet, making it a sophisticated dessert for those who prefer a balance of flavors.
Plus, it’s packed with dried fruits and warming spices that make it perfect for festive occasions or cozy afternoons.
The recipe is easy to follow with common baking ingredients, and it requires no special equipment beyond the basics. The cake also benefits from aging for a few days, which intensifies the flavors, making it a great make-ahead dessert.
If you love exploring classic recipes with a modern touch, this porter cake will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients
- 225g mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, sultanas, currants, chopped dates, and dried apricots)
- 150ml porter beer
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 175g light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 100g chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Loaf tin (approximately 8×4 inches)
- Baking parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Knife and chopping board (for nuts and dried fruit)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Line your loaf tin with baking parchment, ensuring the paper comes up the sides for easy removal.
- Soak the dried fruit in the porter beer. Place the mixed dried fruits in a bowl, pour over the porter beer, and let it soak for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. This will plump the fruit and infuse them with rich flavor.
- Cream the butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add the eggs one at a time. Beat in each egg thoroughly before adding the next. This helps create a smooth batter.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Gently fold the flour and spices into the creamed butter mixture, being careful not to overmix to keep the cake light.
- Add the soaked fruit and nuts. Stir in the soaked dried fruits along with any remaining beer, and fold in the chopped nuts if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. Check doneness by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the cake in the tin for 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For best results, wrap the cooled cake in parchment and foil, and let it mature. Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days before serving to allow flavors to deepen.
Tips & Variations
“Soaking the dried fruit overnight not only softens them but also adds depth to the cake’s flavor – don’t skip this step!”
Feel free to experiment with the types of dried fruits. Try adding chopped dried figs, cherries, or cranberries for a twist.
You can also substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds, or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
If you prefer a spicier cake, increase the cinnamon and add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice. For an extra moist and rich cake, brush the top with a little warmed porter or brandy once cooled.
To make this cake vegan, replace the butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg) instead of eggs. For more vegan baking ideas, check out our Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Slice (1/12 of cake) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Sugars | 25g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fiber | 2g |
Serving Suggestions
Porter cake is delicious served on its own or with a light spread of butter. For a truly indulgent treat, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This cake pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. It also makes a fantastic dessert when accompanied by a rich custard or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Try it alongside other comforting dishes like our Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food for a complete meal experience.
Conclusion
Porter cake is a timeless dessert that brings warmth and richness to any table. Its combination of dark beer, dried fruits, and spices creates a cake that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
This recipe is approachable for all skill levels and offers plenty of room for personalization with your favorite fruits and nuts.
By allowing the cake to mature, you’ll unlock even deeper flavors, making it perfect for holiday gifting or special occasions. If you’re a fan of traditional recipes with a twist, this porter cake will surely impress your family and friends.
Ready to bake? Enjoy the process and savor every bite of this delicious cake!
For more delicious and easy recipes, don’t forget to explore our Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas and Best Easy Healthy Vegetarian Casserole Recipe Ideas to round out your meal plans.
📖 Recipe Card: Porter Cake
Description: A rich and moist dark beer cake with deep flavors from porter beer, spices, and dried fruits. Perfect for special occasions or as a decadent dessert.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT1H
Total Time: PT1H20M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup porter beer
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a saucepan, combine porter beer, butter, and brown sugar; bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Beat eggs and vanilla extract into the cooled mixture.
- In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until combined.
- Stir in chopped walnuts and dried fruits.
- Pour batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 40 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Porter Cake”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A rich and moist dark beer cake with deep flavors from porter beer, spices, and dried fruits. Perfect for special occasions or as a decadent dessert.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT1H”, “totalTime”: “PT1H20M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup porter beer”, “1 cup unsalted butter”, “1 cup brown sugar”, “2 large eggs”, “2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 tsp baking soda”, “1/2 tsp salt”, “1 tsp ground cinnamon”, “1/2 tsp ground allspice”, “1 cup chopped walnuts”, “1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates)”, “1 tsp vanilla extract”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 325\u00b0F (160\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a saucepan, combine porter beer, butter, and brown sugar; bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from heat and cool slightly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Beat eggs and vanilla extract into the cooled mixture.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until combined.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in chopped walnuts and dried fruits.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}
