FRUIT CAKE Ingredients:
2 cups mixed dried fruits 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
(raisins, prunes, dried 1/2 teaspoon ground
apricots, etc.), chopped cinnamon
1 cup walnuts or almonds, 1/2 teaspoon ground
Preparation time: 2 or chopped nutmeg
1 cup butter at room 1/4 teaspoon salt
3 hours. temperature 1/2 cup brandy or rum
1 cup brown sugar (optional)
4 eggs 1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup all-purpose flour Orange and lemon zest
1 teaspoon baking powder
Recipe:
Preheat the oven to 160°C and prepare a cake
pan by greasing and flouring it. In a large
bowl, mix dried fruit with brandy or rum (if
using) and let soak for at least 30 minutes.
In another bowl, sift together flour, baking
powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and
salt. In a separate large bowl, beat butter
and sugar until smooth, adding eggs one at a
time. Add the sifted flour mixture to the
butter and sugar mixture, alternating with
orange juice. Incorporate orange and lemon
zest, chopped walnuts or almonds, and soaked
fruits. Pour the batter into the prepared
pan and bake for about 1 hour and 30
minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in
the center comes out clean. Let cool in the
pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a
wire rack to cool completely. You can
decorate with more dried fruits or glaze
according to your preference before serving.