Vegetarian Christmas Plum Cake (Eggless Fruit Cake)

Ingredients

• For Soaking Fruits: 1 cup Mixed Dried Fruits (raisins, cranberries, candied orange peel, tutti-frutti), 1/2 cup Orange Juice (or non-alcoholic fruit juice)
• For the Cake Batter: 1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour (Maida), 1 tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 tsp Baking Soda, 1/4 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Mixed Spice Powder (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened), 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (packed), 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar, 1/2 cup Milk, 1/4 cup Plain Yogurt (room temperature), 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Optional Garnish: Glazed Cherries, Almond slivers

Instructions

1. 1

   Step 1: Soak the Fruits: In a bowl, combine mixed dried fruits and orange juice. Let it soak for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, at room temperature. This makes the fruits plump and moist.

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   Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and mixed spice powder. Set aside.

3. 3

   Step 3: Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the yogurt and vanilla extract until well combined.

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   Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, do not overmix. Gently fold in the soaked dried fruits along with any remaining juice from the soaking bowl.

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   Step 5: Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly. You can top with glazed cherries or almond slivers if desired. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve!