Plum Cake

I was never a Plum Cake fan mainly because of the variety of nuts and fruits which get into it. Once in a while I do like to indulge in such delicacies, but Plum Cake is that kind of a dessert which is worth making and sharing with your loved ones especially when the gathering is a bigger one and the occasion is super special like that of Christmas. The reason for me to post the recipe for this is mainly due to the festive season which is in the air.


Serves: 5 to 6


Ingredients:

• 1 cup Plain Flour
• 3/4 cup butter (170 gms)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 tbsp chopped dried plums or tutti frutti
• 2 tbsp chopped dried apricot
• 2 tbsp chopped dates
• 10 raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup grape juice
• Pinch of salt

For Caramelized Sugar Syrup:

• 1/4 cup 
• 1/4 cup water

Preparation:

1. Soak raisins in 1/2 cup grape juice for 4 to 5 hours
2. Make caramelized sugar syrup by cooking 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup water on low flame till it turns into a thick golden syrup. Prepare this syrup just before adding into the the batter or else it solidifies.
3. Chop all the dry fruit, toss them with 1 tbsp plain flour and keep ready.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
2. Grease a 8 by 8 inch baking pan or place a butter paper into it.
3. Sift together plain flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Whisk butter and brown sugar till it becomes soft, fluffy and double in size mixture. (also start preparing the caramel syrup and cool it slightly)
5. Add eggs one by one along with vanilla essence till everything is combined well. 
6.  Now add half of the plain flour mixture and half of the caramelized syrup, combine using a ladle or a large spoon and add remaining plain flour and caramel syrup and mix well. (do not over mix)
7. Finally add the chopped dry fruits and the soaked raisins with juice to the cake batter and mix lightly.
8. Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or till the inserted knife comes out clean.
9. Cool the cake completely before serving.
10. This cake tastes best when it is cool.

Note: You can reduce the quantity of dry fruits and also add some other variety as per your preference. I even used chopped dry mango.