Kerala Christmas Cake
A Malayali Christmas is never complete without the Christmas Fruit Cake. This is my version of it. The soaking of the fruit in rum or brandy adds to the taste. I’ve used dark rum but you can substitute with brandy. You need to soak the fruit at least overnight, or if you have the time few days in the refrigerator. I had soaked mine for a few days and then left them in the freezer for a year. Some folks soak the prepared cake also in brandy but I prefer it without. Enjoy !!
Ingredients
4 cups all purpose flour (Maida)
3 Tsp baking powder
½ Tsp cinnamon powder
1 Tsp nutmeg powder
½ Tsp cloves powder
1 Tsp Ginger powder (chukku powder)
1 Tsp Salt
1 lb butter (at room temperature)
4 cups caster sugar (ultra fine baking sugar)
1 cup sugar (for caramel)
10 eggs
2 lb dried fruit (a mix of candied lemon/orange peel, raisins, dates, candied cherries, cashewnuts, walnuts etc.)
1 cup dark rum
2 Tbsp Vanilla extract
1 Tbsp flour for dried fruit
Method
1. Chop the dates and cherries. Mix together all the dried fruit with the rum. Soak overnight.
2. Mix the soaked dry fruits with 1 Tbsp flour.
3. Make caramel with 1 cup sugar. Place the sugar in pan on high with 2 Tbsp water. As sugar melts and caramelizes stir occasionally. Be careful not to burn sugar. Once the colors is a deep brown take pan off the fire and add about ¾ cup water carefully (as it might splatter). Mix and set aside. This process should take about 6-8 minutes.
4. Separate the egg yolks and whites.
5. Sift the flour with all the spices, salt and baking soda.
6. Beat the egg whites till stiff and set aside.
7. In a large mixing bowl, cream the 4 cups of sugar with the butter. Then add egg yolks and mix on medium for few minutes, adding one yolk at a time.
8. Add in the flour mixture a little at a time and mix. Now add the vanilla, caramel and half of the egg white too.
9. Mix in the dried fruits with a spatula and then fold in the rest of the egg whites.
10. Pour into greased cake pans and bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees F, for about 55 minutes or till toothpick inserted comes out clean.
11. NOTE: This will make about 4 loaf cakes or 2 loaves and 1 Bundt cake.