This Mixed Fruit Slice Recipe is one of those recipes that you would have had to write out for at least five people if you took a tray of it to a party or gathering in pre-digital times.
With just 3 ingredients, it takes mere minutes before it's in the oven and baking away. In less than an hour, you'll be sitting down with a cuppa and enjoying a slice.
The result is a slightly chewy fruit cake – in slice form, of course. Absolutely delicious and a real life-saver if you want to bake something but are stretched for time.
This Mixed Fruit Slice Recipe is a definite keeper!
And you don't need to write it out – just send a link to your friends or use the share buttons to share with your Facebook or Pinterest pals. Ah yes, there are a few positives that come with living in the digital age.
Mixed Fruit Slice Recipe
If you've been following me for a while, you might know that many of my recipes come from my great grandmother's collection of handwritten and clipped recipes from the 1930s to 1960s along with more lovely recipes that my grandmother, mum and aunties have made over the years.
To really capture these great old-fashioned Aussie recipes, I've also started collecting retro recipe books from op shops – and that's exactly where this one is from.
This recipe is from the "Recipes from 'The Centre'" community cookbook which was collated in the 1990s to "benefit the children attending Alice Springs School of Air."
I love these old fundraiser cookbooks, which typically contain recipes contributed from the local community. These are tried and tested and favourite recipes from home cooks.
And I knew this Mixed Fruit Slice recipe had to be a particularly good one when the previous owner of the book had circled it in red pen.
Just 3 ingredients!
That's right.
You've got to love a 3-ingredient recipe, especially when the results are as fabulous as what you'll take out the oven when you follow this recipe.
And these three ingredients are staples that you'll easily come across at your supermarket or convenience store:
- mixed fruit
- condensed milk
- self raising (SR) flour (or plain/all-purpose flour and baking powder).
And 5 minutes
The method is also super simple.
You literally need just 5 minutes. Tops.
You'll need a slice tin (approx 28 x 18cm). Grease it and line with baking paper, leaving paper overhanging at sides to assist with removal of slice later.
Pre-heat your oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius, fan-forced).
Stir mixed fruit and condensed milk together until they're well combined.
Now sift in the flour into the mixture and stir again until combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared slice tin, smoothing mixture out with a spatula to reach the edges.
Place into oven and bake for 30 minutes or until a golden brown colour.
Leave slice in tin until almost cool and then remove from tin and slice into 18 squares (3 x 6).
Enjoy your Mixed Fruit Slice
Your slice should last for up to a week in an airtight container stored in a dry, cool place.
The slice also freezes well for up to 3 months.
And if you love the simplicity of a great slice, check out the entire Cooking with Nana Ling Slice collection here.
Mixed Fruit Slice
Equipment
- 1 slice tin (28 x 18 cm approx)
Ingredients
- 375 grams mixed fruit
- 395 grams sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup SR flour (125 grams) (or 1 cup plain/all-purpose flour + 2 teaspoons baking powder)
Instructions
- Grease a slice tin (approx 28 x 18cm) and line with baking paper, leaving paper overhanging at sides to assist with removal of slice later.
- Pre-heat oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius, fan-forced).
- Stir mixed fruit and condensed milk together until well combined.
- Sift in the flour and stir again until combined.
- Pour mixture into slice tin, smoothing mixture out with a spatula to reach the edges, and place into oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a golden brown colour.
- Leave slice in tin until almost cool and then remove from tin and slice into 18 squares (3 x 6).
Wilma Tohey
For the Fruit I just had 2 cups of sultanas also added 1 cup dessicated coconut, worked beautifully.
Jo
Love this simple recipe to use up leftover mixed fruit. I cut them smaller so in fact got 36 bitesize slices! They're delicious.
Libby Hakim
Lovely! Enjoy, Jo - and thanks for taking the time to rate and provide some feedback. Libby x
Judy
Easy recipe and most forgiving. I added a cup of ground almonds, an extra egg, I soaked my fruit , added 2 grated apples and a teaspoon each of mixed spice and cinnamon. Absolutely wonderful taste. A bit bouncy because of the second egg but held it together which I don't think it would have without it. Really moorish. I took it in to work but had to leave some behind for my husband!
Libby Hakim
Thanks for the lovely (and helpful) review, Judy. Happy cooking!
Sandy Goldsmith
I changed it to 1/4 cup coconut flour ,2 Teaspoons baking powder,1 can condensed milk,1/4 cup of coconut,1/2 cup of rolled oats ,1 egg,cup of mixed fruit , spread on biscuit tray ,bake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes , very yummy thanks for the incentive of original recipe .
Libby Hakim
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing your variation, Sandy 🙂
Ann
Lovely but found I had to make a double quantity to fill my 28 x 18 cm tin the equipment says 28x8 cm tin but instructions 28x 18 which is rather confusing, but I will make it again as we all enjoyed it
Libby Hakim
Hi Ann. Thanks for the feedback. I've fixed up that typo - it's a 28 x 18cm slice tin that's required. I've used that size tin many times and the mixture fills the tin. Happy cooking!
Sheila
Hello. I would love to try this recipe. Could you say what the cup measure is in Grams please? Many thanks. (from Scotland)
Libby Hakim
Hi all the way over there in Scotland, Sheila! One cup of SR flour is 125 grams - I'll add this to the recipe. Thanks for asking and hope you like the recipe. Libby x
Dee
Hello Libby.
Absolutely loved this slice and so do my neighbours. I tweaked it on one bake with chopped dried apricots and toasted macadamia nuts. It turned out really well.One neighbour made it to take on her caravaning holiday as it keeps so well.
I know that the digital age makes things easier to share , but it would be great if you could do hard copies . It would be amazing to be able to give them as gifts to family ( especially the younger members ) and friends.
The recipes from your Nana's era were so uncomplicated and a taste sensation.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Cheers Dee
Libby Hakim
Hi Dee - thanks for your lovely feedback and rating. I did a little self-published Christmas cookbook but I would love to do a bigger and better recipe book at some stage with a proper publisher. I'll keep blogging in the meantime as I also love sharing the recipes. But it's definitely a dream to publish a proper cookbook. Stay tuned! Libby x
Bayi T
I baked 2 yesterday. One for hubby’s work, one for myself. Hehe! Good recipe with chewy texture. But I find it a bit too sweet for me. I only used 3/4 tin of condensed milk.
I wonder if I can add 1/4 of milk so the batter won’t be too dry?
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Libby Hakim
Hi! Thanks for the feedback 🙂 Yes, you could try adding a little milk for sure.
Catarina
Instead of the mixed fruit I used a combo of crystalised ginger, dried cranberries, chopped dates, and walnuts (which I lightly toasted) to make up the 375g. It was delicious - nice texture. It was a bit overcooked, I thought, so will reduce to 170C next time. SO EASY. Everyone loved it. Will try again today with GF flour and a combo of ginger and choc chips. I love the simplicity and possibilities of this slice.
Libby Hakim
Oh, I love this idea! Have fun experimenting 🙂
Christine
Can you tell me the fruits in the box mix? We don’t sell that product here in the States. But I could try to make a mix as close as possible to the ready mix. Looks like raisins, cherries, maybe dates?, and golden raisins?? Thanks so much!
Jan
@Christine,
I just checked in my own pantry (in Australia) and found the 'mixed fruit' pack I have from a different manufacturer has a different fruit mix in but it probably doesn't matter as long as it is 375g of assorted dried fruit. Not glace fruit or crystallised fruit though maybe some nuts would be good... Each time an adventure! My pack is currants,sultanas, raisins plus red and green cherries.
Christine
@Jan,
here, mixed fruit is often a mixture of glacéd citron, pineapple, cherries; some have added orange or lemon peel, and only sold at the holidays. Sounds like your mixes are basically raisins and currants…I’d have to make a mixture myself which is no problem as long as I get the general idea. Thanks so much!
Margaret Doro
@Christine, sultanas, raisins, currants, cranberries and small amount of mixed peel.