28 December, 2023

Rich Nutty Plum Cake

Posted in : Christmas Cake, Recipes on December 28, 2023 by : admin

Certainly! Plum cake is a delightful dessert, especially popular during the festive season. Here’s a simple recipe for making a classic plum cake:

Ingredients:

For Soaking Fruits:

• 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates, etc.)
• 1/2 cup candied fruits (cherries, orange peel, etc.)
• 1/4 cup rum or orange juice

Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• A pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Other:

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds), optional

Instructions:

1. Soaking Fruits:
   • In a bowl, combine the mixed dried fruits and candied fruits.
   • Pour rum or orange juice over the fruits and let them soak for at least a few hours or overnight. This helps in plumping up the fruits and infusing them with flavor.
2. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line a cake pan with parchment paper.
3. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
4. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
   • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
7. Fold in Fruits and Nuts:
   • Gently fold in the soaked dried fruits, candied fruits, and chopped nuts (if using) into the batter.
8. Bake:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool:
   • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Optional Glaze:

• You can drizzle a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and a little milk over the cooled cake for added sweetness.

11. Serve:

• Slice and serve the plum cake. Enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee!

Feel free to customize the recipe by adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. Adjust the quantity of dried fruits and nuts according to your preference.