Dried Fruits

Dried fruits are available all year round but, for truly memorable Christmas cakes and puddings, the experts agree that using top quality new-season ingredients makes all the difference.

Good mid-range ingredients are easily available from grocers and supermarkets of course, but there are certain shops that specialise in offering premium quality dried fruit carefully sourced from the best growing regions, and there is no mistaking the difference.

Three of Ireland’s most discerning suppliers, renowned for their outstanding baking ingredients, are: Peter & Mary Ward at Country Choice, Nenagh, Co Tipperary; Jim Tynan at The Kitchen & Foodhall Portlaoise, Co Laois; and the Cronin family at The Gourmet Shop, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

All carry a great range of speciality seasonal products and would be an excellent choice for gift hampers too.


Fresh Orange Fruit Cake - an interesting, fresher-flavoured alternative to the usual rich fruit cake, this cake owes its individuality to the quality of its ingredients, including unrefined sugar, and it can be decorated prettily with glacé orange slices (available from Country Choice), or whole glacé fruit.

Makes an 8in/20cm cake, serving 10-12.

Click for recipe