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Christmas Fruit Cake/Plum Cake

Christmas in my family is not complete without this traditional Fruit cake or as commonly called plum cake. (Although there are no plums used to make this cake). I soaked my fruits almost a month before, but even if you soak the fruits and nuts in rum and brandy a week before making this cake, the results are pretty boozilicious.

I have been making this cake since many Christmas and is a hit with my friends and family. The rich dark color comes from the use of brown sugar and caramel and the rum and brandy soaked fruits and nuts gives it an amazing flavour. Here is my favorite recipe to make this cake.

Ingredients

  • Fruits soaked in rum and brandy- 3 cups

To make caramel

  • Granulated sugar- 1 cup
  • Water- 1 cup

For the cake

  • All purpose flour- 2 and ½ cup
  • Instant coffee powder- 1tsp
  • Baking powder- 2tsp
  • Cinnamon powder- 1tsp
  • Clove powder- 1tsp
  • Cardamom powder- ½ tsp
  • Nutmeg powder- ½ tsp
  • Salt- ¼ tsp
  • Unsalted butter- 1 cup
  • Dark brown sugar- 1 and ½ cup (packed)
  • Eggs- 5
  • Vanilla extract- 2tsp
  • Caramel- 1 cup
  • Soaked fruits- 3 cups
  • Rum- 2tsp

Method

Method

To make the caramel

  • Take sugar in a pan.
  • Keep the pan on heat and keep tilting it till sugar melts.
  • Do not use a spatula.
  • Keep swirling the melted sugar till it turns a dark brown color.
  • Be careful not to burn the sugar.

Method

Method

  • Remove the pan from heat once the sugar has darkened.
  • Add water.
  • Be careful as it will splash.
  • Use a spatula and mix well.
  • Cook for a minute.
  • Remove from heat and let the caramel cool.
Method

Method

To make the cake

  • Pre heat the oven to 160 degrees C.
  • Grease and line 2, 8 x 2 inch pans. ( You can use a single taller pan, but the baking time will vary )
  • Mix all purpose flour, coffee powder, baking powder, cinnamon powder, clove powder, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and salt in a bowl.
  • Whisk butter and sugar in the bowl of your electric beater till light and fluffy. (Approx 5 minutes on high speed)
Method

Method

  • Add egg, one at a time and mix well after each addition.
  • Add vanilla extract and mix well.
  • Add the caramel and mix well.
Method

Method

  • Add the dry mixture gradually and mix till combine.
  • Fold in the soaked fruits and mix.
  • Pour the batter in the prepared pans.
Method

Method

  • Bake for 55-60 minutes till a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool the cakes in the pan.
  • Remove from the pan.
Method

Method

  • Poke holes in the cakes and drizzle a tsp of rum on each cake.
  • Store in an airtight container.
  • This cake is best eaten after 2-3 days of baking.

Story first published: Friday, December 13, 2013, 17:51 [IST]
Read more about: baked recipes