Plum Cake (non alcoholic version)

Plum Cake (Non alcoholic version-dry fruits soaked in orange juice)

You should start the preparations for this cake a day ahead since the dry fruits have to be soaked for a day in the juice.

1.Dry fruits-1 3/4 cup

(Mix of Prunes,Dates,Cherry,Kismis,Fig,Candied fruits etc.)

Orange juice-1 1/2 cup (I used fresh juice from 2 oranges and remaining store bought without any added sugar in it)

Instead of Orange juice u can use Apple/Pineapple/Grapes/Mixed berries etc.

Orange zest of 2 Oranges

Mixed fruit jam-2 tbsps (I used home made one.Can substitute with any jam of your choice)

Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl and cover & keep in a dark place probably in the cupboard for a day (24 hours).

If you are not going to make the cake after 24 hours of soaking, then refrigerate it.

2.Badam,Cashews,Walnuts,Pecans-1/2 cup(dry roast in oven for 10-12 minutes and use.)

Cut into small pieces and mix with the soaked dry fruits just before you measuring the cake ingredients.

3.Spice powder

Cloves-3-4

Dry ginger-small piece

Cinnamon-1 stick

Cardamom-2

Nutmeg -1/4 piece

Caraway/Shajeera-a pinch

Since the above mentioned spices are very small I usually add some sugar to it & grind.

You can powder this by taking 1/4 cup of brown sugar from the amount mentioned in this recipe and the above spices in the small jar of your mixie.

4.Maida/Apf-2 1/4 cups

Baking powder-2 1/4 tsps

Salt-3/4 tsp

Sieve together thrice and set aside.Remove 3-4 tbsps and add to the soaked dry fruits.

5.Unsalted Butter-170 gms (3/4 cup)

Brown sugar-1 1/2 cup

Eggs-3 large

Milk-3/4 cup(can substitute with orange juice if you want to get more orange flavor)

Caramelized syrup/ honey-3 tbsps (read the note below for Caramelized syrup)

Vanilla essence-1 tsp

Take the butter and eggs from the fridge half an hour ahead before you start making the batter.

With an electric beater cream the sugar,powdered spices & butter until sugar dissolves.Add the eggs one at a time and beating after each addition until combined.Add in the vanilla & caramel syrup/honey & beat in.

Now add the sieved flour mixture in 3 additions and the milk in 2 additions starting & ending with flour.Add the dry fruits and nuts coated with flour to the batter and gently fold in.

Transfer the batter into two 9" round pans lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 160 C for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted at the center comes out clean.Mine took exactly 43 minutes in my convection oven. The baking time may vary with ovens and pans used.

Once cooled you can enjoy the cake immediately.(no need to wait for 3 days as in the case of the alcoholic versions which require time to get the flavors absorbed)

The shelf life of the nonalcoholic plum cake is less. -3-4 days after which it should be refrigerated.

Note-Caramelized syrup

In a wide pan preferably nonstick spread 1/2 cup granulated white sugar.Heat this in medium heat without stirring until sugar melts completely.Cook for another minute or two till you get dark golden brown color.Add boiling water to this,little by little and stir in until the splashing sound stops.(Do this carefully as the hot sugar might splash & results in burns. )The Caramelized syrup is ready.(U can add a small piece of butter before removing from stove)This can be made early & stored.