Christmas Plum Cake

Ingredients For Marinating The Dry Fruits

• • Black raisins - 2 tablespoons
• • Yellow raisins - 2 tablespoons
• • Dates - 2 tablespoons
• • Figs - 2 tablespoons
• • Tutty fruities - 2 tablespoons
• • Cherries - 2 tablespoons
• • Ginger peels - 2 tablespoons
• • Orange peels - 2 tablespoons
• • Rum/Brandy - 150 milliliters

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Ingredients For Making The Caramel

• • Sugar - ½ cup
• • Water - 1 tablespoon
• • Warm water - ½ cup

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Ingredients For Making The Spice Powder

• • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
• • Nutmegs - as required
• • Cardamoms - 4
• • Cloves - ½ teaspoon

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Ingredients For Making The Cake

• • Plain flour - 2 cups
• • Baking powder - 1 teaspoon
• • Baking soda - ½ teaspoon
• • Eggs - 4
• • Unsalted butter - 200 grams
• • Sugar (powdered) - 1 cup
• • Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
• • Walnuts - 2 tablespoons
• • Cashew nuts - ¼ cup
• • Almonds - ¼ cup

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Method To Marinate The Dry Fruits

• 1. Chop the dried fruits and add to a glass jar.
• 2. Add brandy/rum into the jar. Marinate for a minimum of 1 week.
• 3. Make sure to shake the jar occasionally.

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Method To Make The Caramel

• 1. In a saucepan, add sugar and 1 tablespoon of water.
• 2. Heat the sugar until it melts and starts to become brown.
• 3. As soon as it becomes brown, add 1/2 cup of water.
• 4. Boil for 3-4 minutes.
• 5. Remove from heat and cool.

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Method To Make The Spice Powder

• 1. Grind all the spices with a pinch of sugar into a fine powder. Keep aside.

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Method To Make The Cake

• 1. Preheat the oven at 350° farenheit for 10-15 mins.
• 2. Drain the marinated fruits. Keep marinade aside.
• 3. Toss the drained fruits in 2 table spoon of flour - this prevents the fruits from sinking to the bottom of the cake. Keep aside.
• 4. In a bowl, sift the plain flour with baking powder and baking soda. Keep aside.
• 5. Separate the yolks and white of the eggs. Keep egg whites aside.
• 6. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks. Add the softened butter. Beat into a smooth paste.
• 7. Add powdered sugar gradually. Beat after each addition.
• 8. After the mixture becomes smooth, add vanilla essence, cooled caramel and spice powder. Beat again.
• 9. Add the sifted flour in 2 batches. Beat after each addition.
• 10. Add the drained liquor in 2 batches. Beat after each addition. Keep batter aside.
• 11. In a bowl, beat egg whites till soft peaks form.
• 12. Fold the fluffy egg white into the batter very gently.
• 13. Fold in the marinated fruits just enough for the dry fruits to disappear into the batter. Keep aside.
• 14. Grease the baking dish and line with baking paper.
• 15. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
• 16. Bake in the pre-heated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes until the skewer inserted comes out clean.
• 17. After the cake is cooled, garnish with powdered sugar.
• 18. Enjoy! Happy X-mas!