Plum cakes in India are dark brown spice cakes. These are filled with dried fruits, usually raisins, and nuts. Various warm spices add to the flavor. This is a quick version of the traditional Christmas Plum cake.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 40 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour30 minutesminutes
Servings 8
Author Syama
Ingredients
2CAP Flour 220 g, unbleached
1CButter 220 g
3/4CBrown Sugar 150 g
4Eggs
3CDry Fruits 300 g ( See Notes)
1/2CChopped Nuts
1COrange Juice
1TbspOrange/lemon Zest
1TspVanilla Extract
2TspBaking Powder
2TspPowdered SpicesNotes
1/2TspFine Sea Salt
1TspCaraway Seeds Crushed
3/4CMilk
For Rum Syrup (Optional)
1/2CWater
4TbspSugar
2TbspRum
Instructions
Warm the 1 C orange juice and pour over the chopped fruits. Stir well and set aside for 10 minutes.
Sift the dry ingredients - flour, salt,baking soda and spice powders - well. Add the caraway seeds (if using) and mix well. Take 1 tbsp of the flour mix and add to the chopped nuts. Stir to coat.
Butter and flour the cake pan or line with parchment paper and set aside. Place the oven rack in the center and pre-heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Drain the fruits and discard the remaining juice. Add 2 tbsp of the flour mix to the drained fruits and toss to coat. Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar really well. Add the eggs one by one beating until it is mixed well into the mixture. Keep mixing for a couple more minutes until fluffy and increased in volume.
Fold the flour mix in 3 equal batches adding 1/2 the milk between each addition . Start and end with the flour. Fold in the nuts and fruits and immediately pour into the prepared pan. Level the top and transfer to the oven. Reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40 minutes or until the tops are brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
For 13 X 9 " pan this batter will take about 40 minutes to bake. Adjust the baking times for the pans used.
Remove from the oven and cool in pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.
Mix 1/2 C Water and 4 Tbsp Sugar in a small pan. Heat over medium, till it comes to a boil. Boil for a minute and add the rum . Mix well and boil for another minute Turn off the heat.
With a pastry brush brush the syrup over the warm cake. Set aside to cool.
Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Chop the dry fruits and nuts small.
My spice mix usually includes - 1Tsp of Cinnamon, 1/2 Tsp Powdered Ginger, 1/4 Tsp Nutmeg and 1/2 Tsp Cloves. Cardamom, and all spice are other favorite aromatic spices.