Monday, December 31

Plum/fruit cake


Wish You all a very happy and prosperous NEW YEAR!!!!!
Back in India , during Christmas we used to receive plum cakes as gifts from our friends.Thought I would give it a try this year... Its the first time Iam baking this cake.... I followed the recipes of RP, and Mishmash and the cake turned out really great. Mishmash's recipe was classic and was very useful. Its completely their recipe and just for my own records I have blogged it.


Ingredients
All purpose flour- 1 cup
sugar- 1 cup
butter- 1 stick
dried fruits-(dates, raisins, dried cherries,plums,pears, prunes and apricots)- 1 cup
dried nuts-(almonds, cashews and walnuts) 1/2 cup
eggs-3
baking powder-1 tsp
baking soda-1/2 tsp
salt-1/4 tsp
vanilla extract -1 tsp
candied lemon and orange peels- 1tbsp
spice powder(cinnamon, nutmeg,clove and dry ginger)- 1 tsp(I used the ready made one)
Rum or Brandy- 1/2 cup or grape juice- 1/4 cup and orange juice- 1/4 cup
For caramelising
sugar-1/4 cup
water - 1tbsp + 1/2 cup

Method

Chop the dried fruits and soak them inRum /Brandy or grape and orange juice for a few hours.
Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp water in a sauce pan and allow it to boil. Do not stir it and after a few minutes ,the sugar syrup changes to a cherry wood coloured caramel.Remove the pan from fire immediately ,keep under sink and add 1/4 cup of water to it. Be very careful as the caramel is very hot and it may splash. Let it cool completely. Add the vanilla essence to it.
Powder the sugar, chop the nuts and bring the eggs and butter to room temperature.
Sift the flour, baking powder,baking soda and salt. Add the spice powder to it and mix well.
Seperate the egg whites and yolks. Beat the whites until soft peaks are formed. keep aside .
Beat the powdered sugar and butter in a mixing bowl till light and fluffy.Now add the egg yolks to it one by one and beat well until the mixture is creamy.
Add the sifted flour and the caramel to it and mix well. Add the beaten egg whites and fold them in gently .
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the cake pans with parchment paper and butter and dust them.
Now its time to add the chopped nuts and the soaked dry fruits to the cake mixture. Fold them gently into the cake batter. Spoon them into the greased cake pans and bake them for 50 minutes to 1 hour. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.
Cool completely before storing it.

23 comments:

Mishmash ! said...

Hello Prema,happy that my post helped you....:) cake looks nice....

Have a wonderful year ahead :)

Ramya's Mane Adige said...

Cake looks delicious!!!! New Year wishes to you too!

Resonator said...

hey ya....jus got to ur blog...wow its nice ya....am also prema :-)..nan seithu pathu sollaren!!!....


happy blogging!!!

sra said...

Happy New Year, Prema! Don't see much of you nowadays, busy?

Richa said...

dear Prema, Best Wishes for 2008!

Linda said...

oh my, Prema, that plum cake looks so mouthwatering! Kesari, too. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Happy New Year! :)

Sagari said...

cake looks so moist prema

Kavitha said...

Plum cake looks delicious. Perfect for the holiday season!!!

FH said...

Happy new year Prema. Cake looks delicious and I love the flower with the bell too. Enjoy friend!:))

Vineela said...

hi prema,
plum cake looks delicious.
have a wonderful new year 2008
vineela

Rajitha said...

prema..the cake looks great..i am planning to make ur katli..will let u know how it comes out :)

Latha said...

Yummy looking cake Prema! A very happy and prosperous new year to you and your family!

Bharathy said...

The cake looks Perfect!
RP's and Shn's are the best picks to try out too :)

Glad that you liked my version of carrot sadam..:)
Tried making ur rava dosas(made them for myself as a trial)yet to introduce to my husband :)..

Have a fantastic year Prema! :)

Raks said...

Cake looks perfect!
Happy New year to you Prema!

bee said...

beautiful cake. wish yo a wonderful new year, dear prema.

USHA said...

Hi Prema,

Plum cake is one of very very favourite cake...i was literally tempted alot after seeing the pieces on plate...Thanks alot for sharing the recipe.

Seema said...

Prema - Looks delicious! Saw it on Mishmash's blog too - it was yum! Nice one.. sure u guys enjoyed it!

Happy New year to you Prema.Have a great 2008!

amna said...

thats one yummy lookin cake. have a great new year, prema :)

Rajesh &Shankari said...

Looks sooooo perfect!
Happy New Year!

Menu Today said...

Hi Prema,
Putthandu Nal Vazhthukkal...:-)

Delicious looking cake.

Resonator said...

Hi Prema,


Whats your special receipe and menu for Pongal Celebration :-) Obviously sweet pongal wd b in ur list na..

Laavanya said...

That looks so beautiful Prema. I love plumcake the best.

Unknown said...

Your cake looks delicious..