Hello readers,
Today I'm going to share with you "Fruit Cake" recipe, did you know the ancient Egyptians buried their loved ones with fruit cakes because they believed this particular food was essential for the journey to the afterlife. Now 27th of December is known as national fruit cake day!! From 19th century fruit cake became a tradition wedding cake in 'England'. Hope you like the information!! so let's start to make fruit cake.
Ingredients:-
For Fruit Mixture-
Unsweetened dried fruits- 160g( equal parts of peaches, apricots,pears).
Unsweetened black figs-80g.
Unsweetened dried tart cherries- 80g( chopped).
Dark raisins- 100g.
Golden raisins-100g.
Dried unsweetened prunes-60g( chopped).
Dark Rum- 90ml.
For Fruit Cake:-
All purpose flour- 90g.( Unbleached).
Baking Powder- 1/4 tsp.
Cinnemon Powder- 1/2 tsp.
Ground Ginger- 1/2 tsp.
Ground nutmeg-1/8 tsp.
Kosher salt- 1/2 tsp.( Diamond crystal).
Unsalted butter- 60g( soften).
Light brown sugar- 80g.
Large eggs- 3( room temperature).
Fresh lemon zest-1/2 tbsp( grated).
Fresh orange zest-1/2 tbsp(grated).
12.Granny smith apple -half(peeled and grated coarsely).
Fresh orange juice- 60ml.
Walnut- 30g(chopped).
Silvered almonds- 30g.
Crystalized ginger- 15g( finely diced).
Preparation Method:-
Step 1- Two days before baking, take a bowl mix all dry fruits with dark Rum and combine them altogether, now cover the bowl and allow the mixture to soak at room temperature. ( Minimum need to soak the fruits for 12 hrs. But ideally need to soak for 24-48 hrs).
For Fruit Cake:-
Step1- Preheat the oven to 300 F(150 C) with a rack in the center position.
Step 2- Take a 9 inch pan and grease the pan lightly and line a parchment paper.(if you are using all clad pro-release bake-ware loaf pan then no need to grease it or place parchment paper).
Step 3- Take a bowl add flour, baking powder, spices,salt and whisk to combine once all ingredients mixed well set aside.
Step 4- Take a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, in a bowl add soften butter, light brown sugar and mix them over medium- high speed for 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Step 5- Now reduce speed and add the eggs one at a time and keep mixing until each egg Incorporated.
Step 6- Over low speed slowly add(step-3) all dry ingredients until absorbed.(do not over beat).
Step 7- Remove the bowl from the stand mixer, now add lemon zest, orange zest, grated apples, slivered almonds, chopped walnuts,diced candied ginger and soaked fruit mixture, stir with a large spatula until all ingredients mixed well and will get a thik fruit heavy mixture.
Step 8- Transfer the batter evenly in the loaf pan with the help of spatula. Now bake for 1 hr. 20 min or until toothpick comes up clean.
Step 9- Once cake baked completely take out the cake and let it cool(room temperature).
Step 10- Take out the cake from loaf pan and slice fruit cake with a sharp knife and serve.
N.B. This article was also published on my personal blog : https://sduttaskitchen.blogspot.com/