Spiced Fruit And Nut Cake

5 from 2 votes

Spiced Fruit And Nut Cake

If you are looking for a fruit and nut cake that is easy to make and is an alcohol-free version of a traditionally served cake for the holidays, then this recipe fits the bill perfectly. Made with wholesome ingredients, this Spiced Fruit and Nut Cake flawlessly complements the festive verve as the candied fruits look like embedded jewels that make it incredibly joyful!

Prep: 15

Cook: 55

Soak: 7

Total: 8 10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: SERVINGS

Calories: 407kcal

Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

CANDIED FRUITS AND NUTS

½ cup Dried Berries cranberries, dates, golden and black raisins
5-6 - Dried Mango peels thinly sliced
8-9 - Dried Apricots
¼ cup Almonds
¼ cup Cashews
6-8 - Maraschino cherries
1½ cup Orange Juice or any other juice of your choice

CAKE DRY INGREDIENTS

2½ cups Cake flour 2¼ cup of all purpose flour + ¼ cup cornstarch
⅛ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Baking soda
1¼ teaspoons Baking powder
¾ teaspoon Cinnamon Powder
¾ teaspoon Allspice
½ teaspoon Cardamom Powder

CAKE WET INGREDIENTS

1½ cups Brown Sugar
¾ cup Oil any neutral tasting oil
1½ cups Buttermilk 1½ cups milk + 2 tablespoons Vinegar
1 teaspoon Fresh orange zest
½ teaspoon Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

SOAK THE FRUITS

Combine the candied fruits, peels, and dry nuts in a mixing bowl.
Pour orange juice over the fruits.
Make sure the fruits are completely immersed in the liquid.
Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let the fruit soak overnight in the juice to soften.

DRAIN THE FRUIT

By the following day, the fruits and nuts would have soaked in a lot of orange juice and would have swollen and doubled in size.
Drain the soaked fruits through a sieve and set them aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and then spray with a non-stick spray. Set it aside.

COAT THE SOAKED FRUITS

After you drain off the soaked fruits, toss them with some flour. The dry coating that forms on the fruits and nuts will keep them from sinking to the bottom, and they will stay suspended in the batter.

PREPARE BATTER

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, allspice, cardamom powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
Set it aside.
Add the sugar and the oil to the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix it with a balloon whisk on medium speed until combined.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add Vanilla essence.
Add lemon zest to this mixture and mix until combined.
Add your dry ingredients to the oil+ sugar mix and mix.
Add the vegan buttermilk slowly and mix until everything is well combined, scraping down the side of the bowl.
Do not over-mix your batter.
Now, add the flour-coated dried nuts and fruits to the batter.
Fold the nuts and fruits into the batter.

BAKE THE CAKE

Pour the batter into the prepared greased 8-inch pan and bake.
To prevent excessive browning, cover the cake with a foil sheet halfway during the baking time.
Bake the cake for 50-55 minutes or until the toothpick inserted, comes out clean.
Let it cool in the pan for 10- 12 minutes.
Peel the parchment paper and transfer the cake onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Garnish your cake and enjoy!

Notes

Frequently asked questions

What other dry fruits can I add to my Fruit and Nut Cake?

This cake is a kind of fruit bread embedded with fruits, nuts, and just perfectly spiced and makes for a complete meal cake. You can experiment with many different fruits and still end up with a yummy cake every time. Some other great options include -

Figs
Dates
Sultanas
Currants
Pistachios
Walnuts
Pecans
Hazelnuts

The combination of dried fruits and nuts creates a beautiful balance of tart and sweet flavor in our cake.

What types of alcohol can I use for my Spiced Fruit and Nuts Cake?

You may use a variety of alcohols for your spiced fruit and nuts cake. However, some of the best alcohols are:

Brandy- This is my number 1 choice.
Rum
Wine
Dark Rum
Whiskey
Sherry
Ameretto- This is my another favorite

What should I do if I forget to soak the dry fruits?

No worries! We have a quick fix for this too. Boil the dried fruits in the juice or alcohol for about 2-3 minutes on a low flame.

Now, cover it and let it rest for an hour. Your instant fruits are ready to take the plunge into the batter. However, do not forget to drain them.

How should I store my Spiced Fruit and Nut Cake?

Storing your Fruit and Nut Cake is easy. If stored correctly, it can last for up to a week at room temperature. Do not refrigerate it just after baking. When cooled, wrap it in a cling sheet and keep it on the counter. It will stay fresh.

However, if you want to refrigerate the cake, transfer it to an airtight container after slicing it. It will remain fresh for 2-3 months when refrigerated.

Nutrition