Plum Cake is a traditional Christmas cake made with lot of dry fruits and nuts. Classic Plum Cake also known as traditional Fruit Cake is a great holiday dessert. Christmas Fruit Cake is a popular cake and can be baked at home effortlessly and quickly. Plum Cake is a soft moist delicious irresistible treat for Christmas that you can try!

The holiday season is approaching and once again, I am eager to make this Simple Plum Cake. Plum Cake makes for a great present that you can give to your dear ones. I have experimented with various types of fruit cakes and plum cakes in my early days of baking, and this particular version has become my absolute favorite.

About Plum Cake

The classic Plum Cake recipe is known for its lengthy and laborious process, as it involves soaking dried fruits in alcohol and allowing it to mature before baking. However, this simple Christmas Plum Cake eliminates the need for soaking and alcohol, as well as waiting for butter to soften or beating eggs until fluffy. Isn’t that intriguing?

This Plum Cake Recipe is incredibly simple to make. Simply simmer dried fruits and spices in water for a few minutes and it’s good to go. The only wait time is for it to cool and bake.

During the holiday season, there is an abundance of cakes and baked goods, and children especially love homemade treats. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bake more frequently. Recently, I made a cake that was a hit with everyone due to its delightful scent and texture.

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Despite the absence of alcohol, this cake still comes out moist and delicious. It is one of the many recipes for Rich British Plum Cake that I have tested. This recipe yields an 8-inch round cake.

Plum Cake, also referred to as Fruit Cake or Christmas Cake, is a well-loved dessert in India, particularly in the state of Kerala. In recent times, it has also become a customary treat in Tamil Nadu, with many people baking Plum Cakes for Christmas. One of the highlights of this cake is its flexibility in allowing the addition of various dry fruits according to personal preference.

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Cooking the dried fruits causes them to become plump and juicy. The inherent sweetness of the dried fruits reduces the need for additional sugar. This recipe was modified from Joyofbaking.com.

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Plum Cake Ingredients

• For this plum cake, it is recommended to use flour, either maida or plain flour. All purpose flour can also be substituted.

• For this recipe, I used granulated white sugar. You can also substitute brown sugar or white sugar.

• Dried fruits – I included a variety of dried fruits such as black raisins, golden raisins, tutti frutti, dates, candied fruits, and nuts.

• Eggs – Eggs are used for the cake to make it fluffy and gives structure to this cake.

• Using butter in cake recipes adds moisture and creates a soft texture. Unsalted butter is recommended, but salted butter can be used if desired.

• Flavoring – Spice powders including cinnamon powder, cloves powder and ginger powder is used. Additionally vanilla essence is also used.

Plum Cake Recipe Step by Step

Cooking the blend of fruits

Add 1 cup of water, 3/4 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of butter to a saucepan.

Incorporate 1 cup of black raisins, 1/8 cup of golden raisins, 1/8 cup of dates, and 1/2 cup of candied dry fruits into the mixture. Also, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon of ginger powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of clove powder.

Stir quickly.

Gently simmer for 5 minutes.

Cover partially and leave to cool. It will need 30-40 minutes to cool down.

Whisk 2 eggs with a fork and set them aside.

Preparing flour mixture

In a separate bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Mix it thoroughly with a whisk and set it aside for even distribution.

Preparing caramel

Add 2 tablespoons of white sugar to a small pan.

Heat the sugar for a few seconds and then let it sit without disturbing it. The sugar will begin to melt.

Next, gently rotate the pan until the sugar is fully melted.

Add two tablespoons of water to the mixture. Make sure to stand at a safe distance as it may splutter.

Thoroughly mix until it reaches a liquid consistency.

The caramel syrup is prepared and provides a rich brown hue, making it a recommended addition.

Getting the cake pan ready

15. Get the cake pan ready – Use an 8 inch round cake pan and cover the base with parchment paper. Brush the base and sides with melted butter.

Preparing cake batter

Mix the cooled boiled fruit mixture in a mixing bowl and then add the caramel syrup.

Add one teaspoon of orange zest and mix it thoroughly with a spatula.

Add scrambled eggs to the mixture.

19.Mix well.

Add 1/4 cup of tutti frutti and 2 tablespoons of cashews.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, then add the flour mixture.

Gently incorporate the mixture until all dry flour is no longer visible. Do not overmix after adding the flour mixture.

Baking the cake

Move the cake mixture into the tin that has been prepared.

Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 50-60 minutes. After 50 minutes, check if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before using a knife to scrape the sides.

26.Invert and de-mold.

Take out the parchment paper.

Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing it into pieces.

The moist plum cake is now prepared!

The plum cake is now prepared and ready to be served!

Expert Tips

• You have the freedom to select any type of dried fruits and nuts you prefer. However, be cautious not to add too much. For every 1.5 cups of flour, you can add anywhere from 2 to 3 cups of dried fruits.

• Do not omit the caramel syrup, as it provides a rich, deep brown color and delicious flavor to the cake.

• Please refrain from adding additional nuts.

• After being made, the caramel syrup will naturally thicken, so it is important not to let it sit for too long.

• Be careful not to bake for too long, as the cake may become tough. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

• Instead of simmering the dried fruit blend in water, you can substitute orange juice and omit the orange zest.

• For a delicious plum cake, include extra black raisins. Prunes can also be used as an alternative.

• To create a low-fat baked good, omit the caramel and substitute 3/4 cup of sugar. Experiment with whole wheat flour using the same measurements for all other ingredients.

Storing & Serving Suggestion

The Plum Cake is delicious on its own, packed with an abundance of dried fruits and nuts. It can last for 3-4 days at room temperature, but if stored in the fridge, it can keep for a few more days.

FAQS

Which types of dried fruits can I include in Plum Cake?

Black raisins, golden raisins, candied fruit peels, candied dry fruits, tutti frutti, prunes, cashews etc.

What is the recommended amount of dried fruits to include?

You can add a combination of dry fruits ranging from 2 to 3 cups to 1 and 1/2 cups of flour. Do not exceed 3 cups.

What distinguishes Fruit Cake from Plum Cake?

Fruit cake can be prepared with or without soaking dried fruits, and is typically a vanilla-flavored cake with a light brown color.

Plum Cake is created by immersing or cooking dried fruits and has a rich dark hue. Caramel syrup is incorporated into plum cake to enhance its taste and appearance.

How can I tell when my plum cake is finished baking?

Bake the cake for 50 minutes and then test it by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean or with only crumbs, the cake is ready. If the batter still sticks, bake for a few more minutes as needed. My cake took exactly 60 minutes.

What sets Plum Cake apart from others?

The traditional Plum Cake is typically prepared with an abundance of dried fruits and nuts that have been soaked in alcohol for several days or even months. This results in a distinct flavor and taste, achieved by boiling the dried ingredients, making it a convenient and delicious Christmas treat!

If you have further inquiries regarding this Plum Cake Recipe, please send me an email at [email protected] You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, and Twitter.

Have you tried making this Plum Cake using this recipe? Share your thoughts and experiences with me. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and use the hashtag #sharmispassions.

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