A fruit-filled cake that is a treat any time. It is especially popular around Christmas time and preparations to make this cake starts weeks in advance. This old-fashioned cake is filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Christmas Cakes
Prep Time 1 hourhour
Cook Time 50 minutesminutes
Total Time 2 hourshours
Author Syama
Ingredients
2 CAll Purpose Flour 250 g (See Notes)
3 CChopped dry fruits (loosely packed) 500g
1/2 CRum/brandy
3/4 CChopped nuts 100g
1CButter225g
1 1/4CSugar , Divided use270g
4Eggs , Large
1TspBaking Powder
1/2 TspSalt
1Tsp Cloves, Powdered
1 1/2TspCinnamon , Powdered
1/4TspNutmeg - 1/4 Tsp, Freshly grated
1 TspCaraway Seeds lightly crushed
1TspVanilla Essence -
1TbspOrange Zest
1/2 CMilk
1/2 CHot Water
1Lemon
Instructions
Pour the brandy/rum over the chopped fruits, toss well, and set aside covered for several hours (or few days).
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Prepare the caramel by heating 4 Tbsp sugar over medium heat. Once the sugar turns brown add 1/2 C hot water, stir and bring to a vigorous boil till all the solids are dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C) (See notes ).
Sift the dry ingredients - the flour, baking powder, salt, and the spice powders together and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar, reserving 2 tbsp sugar. Separate the egg whites and yolks. Add the yolks one by one to the butter mixture and mix well. Mix in the orange and lemon zest and vanilla essence. Toss the dry fruits in 1 tbsp flour add to the butter mix.
Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks along with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice. Add the milk to cooled caramel to make 1 C liquid. Add 1 tbsp flour mix to the chopped nuts and toss to coat well.
Add the remaining flour and caramel mixes in parts to the butter mixture to form a thick lump free batter. Fold in the nuts. Stir in part of the beaten egg whites to loosen the thick batter. Gently fold in the rest of the egg whites. Transfer to the prepared pans.
Bake for 10 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for additional 30 to 50 minutes (refer to notes ) or until the tops are browned and a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
If using whole wheat flour for baking increase the liquid content by 3 to 4 tablespoons.
Start baking these cakes at high temperature
For darker flavors add a tbsp of espresso or a pinch of freeze-dried coffee granules along with 1 tbsp of cocoa powder.
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