Really fruity Christmas cake
Try this dairy-free Christmas cake that is packed full of fruit for natural sweetness while delivering on that traditional festive flavour.
Serves: 20
Time to make: 2 hrs 20 mins , plus overnight soaking
Hands-on time: 20 mins
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted prunes, finely chopped
- ¾ cup mixed dried apple and pear, finely chopped
- ¾ cup dried apricots, finely chopped
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 1 green apple, coarsely grated
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon brandy (optional)
- ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon low-fat spread
- ⅓ cup brown sugar alternative
- zest 1 orange, plus 4 tablespoons juice
- 1½ cups wholemeal plain flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons icing sugar, to dust (optional)
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Instructions
1 Put the dried fruits, grated apple, vanilla extract and brandy (if using) in a large bowl. Cover and leave to soak overnight.
2 Heat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/gas 2. Line the base and sides of a deep 20cm diameter cake tin with 2 sheets of baking paper, leaving 3cm paper standing above the tin.
3 Melt the low-fat spread in a medium pan over a medium-low heat. Remove from the heat, then add the sugar alternative and orange zest, stirring until the sugar alternative dissolves.
Sift all the dry ingredients (but not the icing sugar) into a large bowl. Add the soaked fruits, melted spread mixture, orange juice and eggs, stirring until combined. Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin and even out the surface.
4 Bake for 1½–2 hr until a skewer pushed into the centre of the cake comes out clean (cover with a sheet of foil if it browns too quickly). Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 min before turning out on to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating the cake with a dusting of icing sugar. If you like, tie a ribbon around it.
Nutrition Info (per serve)
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Calories 124cal
-
Kilojoules 519kJ
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Protein 3.2g
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Total fat 3.7g
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–Saturated fat 0.8g
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Carbohydrates 23.4g
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–Sugars 13.6g
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Dietary fibre 3.7g
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Sodium 79mg
-
Calcium 31mg
-
Iron 1.4mg
Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.
For more healthy recipes and expert diet advice go to www.healthyfood.com
© Healthy Food Guide All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission prohibited.
© Healthy Food Guide All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission prohibited.
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2 comments on Really fruity Christmas cake
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Sounds lovely. Will this cake keep for 6 months
Hi there
Thanks for your question. This cake should keep okay for quite a while in an airtight tin, but six months would be pushing it. The safest option would be to freeze it, if you need it to last that long.
Warm regards
Jenny, HFG editor