The easiest fruit cake I have made was passed down from my Mother, and is years old :
Put the following four ingredients into a thick pan :-
4 oz. sugar
quarter pint of water
12 oz. mixed dried fruit
4 oz. marg.
Bring to the boil. Simmer for 3 minutes, leave to cool. When cool, add 8 oz. S.R.Flour (with a little spice if liked) then add 1 beaten egg.
Put into lined loaf tin.
Bake for 90 minutes 150 deg, C, Gas 2.
Gorgeous with a little butter and a cup of tea !!