Now, who said you need to bake a Christmas cake at Xmas only ? Tutti frutti Cake, Plum cake, Christmas cake – call it what you may, but it brings back memories of dad and sis and me venturing out the Annual Nilgiris Cake Show at Bangalore every year when we were kids, and bringing home a delicious load of these eggless delights…Sinfully rich, yet captivating with the nutmeg and all the earthy spices and goodies it had within its belly. And happy to share that I almost achieved that result and thus creating another memory bag for kiddo :-))
Well, I baked it a week before Christmas, but sharing the recipe with you all today coz I went kaput from the blogging space during December. Well, the best part is eating the cake. Even my not-so-a-cake-lover husband helped himself to a few bites, and mom n kiddo loved it too ! And what’s more : it has no eggs and no condensed milk. Full of health with wholewheat and dates and brown sugar and tutti frutti, you don’t really need a reason to bake this anytime of the year. It keeps well for about 4-5 days under refrigeration. Sending this to BM # 37, and also to PJ who’s hosting Baked Treats – Kids Delight.
Prep time : 20 mins | Bake time : 30 – 35 mins |
Makes : 2 loaves of approx 300 gm each.
Recipe Source : here, adapted with some changes.
Ingredients:
- Wholewheat flour (Atta) – 1.5 cups (you may use Maida / APF too)
- Dark Brown Sugar – 1/2 cup
- Butter – 4 TBSP
- Neutral Oil – 2/3 cup ( I used Canola)
- Mixed Dry fruits – 1/2 cup ( I used raisins, dates, cherries, tutti fruity)
- Chopped Cashewnuts – 2 TBSP
- Baking Powder – 2 TBSP
- Baking Soda – 1 tsp
- Orange Zest – 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
- Orange essence – 1 drop (optional)
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder mixed with 2 pinches of grated nutmeg
- Saunth Powder (dry ginger powder) – a generous pinch (highly recommended addition)
- Salt – to taste (approx 1/2 tsp)
- Water – approx 3/4 cup (I used a little less than 3/4)
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 180 C / 350 F. Grease and line a mini loaf pan or cake pan. I used two 8oz ramekins and got two loaves. Melt butter for 1-2 mins and keep aside
2) Bring the water to boil in a saucepan, and add the dry fruits (Leave out the tuttifruity if using and the sugar) . Simmer for 8-10 mins till the dates have softened and turn slightly mushy.
3) Once slightly cooled, add the sugar, baking soda, zest and mix a bit. The soda might yield a bit of froth now, but thats ok. Don’t mix once it froths
4) In a large dry bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, salt. Add the spice powders and mix well. To this add the chopped cashewnuts, tutti fruit and some glazed cherries. Mix well till the flour coats the nuts and other ingredients.
5) Add the cooled date-liquid to the flour and add the melted butter and oil.
6) Mix gently till the batter has no streaks of dry flour.
7) Pour into the prepared cake pans (or ramekins) and bake for 35-40 mins. This cake is slightly denser owing to wholewheat so will take a little longer, keep an eye afte 28 mins. Mine was done at 34 mins (insert a toothpick or fork in the middle of the pan to see if it comes out clean)
8) Let it cool a bit. Transfer to wire rack, cut, cool and enjoy 🙂
9) you may aditionally dust it with icing sugar and top with more cherries if desired.
Fabulous cake and Its a anytime is a good time; fits perfect for any occasion too.
I bake this with APF. WWF sounds healthy! The cake looks so good!!
this is so much on my list of to dos, but there are not many takers at home to eat ,since we are on crazy diet
Looks good and Christmasy!
This good old tutti frutti cake is always welcome.
Anytime of the year is good for a moist and delicious cake.
fiber rich healthy cake
Well if you offer me right now I won't say no..looks so soft kalyani..
Awesome cake!! Love all the flavors in there!
That is such a yummy looking cake.
Who needs Christmas for this delicious cake. I will have it anytime.
Lovely cake and beautiful bakeware!
Delicious, I think the idea of adding wholewheat flour is excellent. It must give so much depth to the cake.
Fabulous bake. Moreover you have used wholewheat which makes it more healthy. In love with this delicious cake.
I love tutti frutti cakes and even the breads.They look attractive and colourful and also taste awesome
For some reason, I have never tried to make plum cake till yet at home, but your pics are tempting me to try it soon. Beautiful recipe.
I have never baked a plum cake. Your tutti grittier cake with whole wheat flour is so delicious and healthy. Lovely treat for all cake lovers.
Last Christmas baked a fruit cake with wheat flour and it turns out awesome. Love how festive your bake looks Kalyani. Love fruity cakes with tea.
Plum cake has been on my to do list for such a long time. Being Caribbean, we make black cake for holidays. However, I love to try different recipes from around the world and this one is so perfect!
Never baked a plum cake because no one likes it at home maybe this year I will however try the cake. Sounds awesome.
Any time is cake time for us! I love fruity bakes, and i have a gang who wait for me to bake such cakes for them! Looks lovely kalyani!
Fabulous tutti frutti cake made healthier with wheat flour. This will be loved at home.
Cake looks so inviting and delicious with lot of dry fruits and spices. I love the flavor of spices cinnamon, nutmeg, dry ginger powder you have used. Can enjoy for Tea time
wow, what a coincidence! I too made the tutti frutti cake,next time I will try making this cake in your version. Btw the cake looks so delicious.