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Kerala plum cake

Kerala plum cake

IndianIndianIntermediateIntermediateDessertDessert
Kerala plum cake topped with cashews and dried fruits on a plate. (banner image)
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Kerala Plum Cake
Recipe – Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake

80 mins
Cooking Time
Intermediate
Difficulty
14
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
Kerala-style plum cake is made with a rich caramelised sugar syrup, aromatic spices, dried fruits, and crunchy cashews. Despite its name, this festive cake contains no plums – the term comes from traditional usage where all fruit cakes were called plum cakes in Kerala.

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients
½ cupWhite sugar (For the caramelised sugar syrup)
¼ cupWater
1 cupPlain flour (maida/all-purpose flour) (For the cake)
⅔ cupUnsalted butter (at room temperature)
¾ cupWhite sugar
3Eggs
1 tspVanilla extract
1 tspBaking powder
½ tspCinnamon powder
¼ tspClove powder
¼ tspSalt
½ cupCashew nuts (raw, unsalted, chopped)For the fruits and nuts
¼ cupBlack raisins
½ cupMixed dried fruits (dates, cherries, orange peels)

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Follow
Directions

Description - Step 1

Step 1: Making the caramelised sugar syrup

Add ½ cup of sugar to a pan over medium heat without any water. Stir occasionally as the sugar melts and turns into a dark brown caramel; don’t let it burn. Turn off the heat and carefully add ¼ cup water – the mixture will sizzle and harden. Turn the heat back on and stir continuously for about 10 minutes until all sugar crystals dissolve into a smooth syrup. Set aside to cool completely.

 

Description - Step 2

Step 2: Preparing the fruits and dry ingredients

Preheat your oven to 180°C. Take 3 tablespoons of flour and toss it with all the dried fruits and cashew nuts until completely coated – this prevents them from sinking during baking. Mix the remaining flour with baking powder, cinnamon powder, clove powder, and salt in a separate bowl until well combined with no visible flour streaks.

 

Description - Step 3

Step 3: Making the cake batter

Beat the room temperature butter with ¾ cup sugar until light and fluffy - about 5-6 minutes by hand or 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Add vanilla extract and mix. Now add one egg and beat well until incorporated. Add one-third of the flour mixture and fold gently. Continue alternating between eggs and flour mixture until everything is combined. The batter should be smooth and well-mixed.

 

Description - Step 4

Step 4: Adding caramel and fruits

Pour the cooled caramelised sugar syrup into the batter and fold gently. Add the flour-coated fruits and nuts, folding carefully to distribute them evenly throughout the batter. The batter will be thick and studded with fruits.

 

Description - Step 5

Step 5: Baking the cake

Generously grease a 6-inch cake pan with butter. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top gently. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes. The top will turn dark brown due to the caramel - this is normal. Start checking at 45 minutes by inserting a skewer into the centre; it should come out with moist crumbs. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before unmolding. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

 

Step 1
Step 1: Making the caramelised sugar syrup
15 Minutes
Step 2
Step 2: Preparing the fruits and dry ingredients
5 Minutes
Step 3
Step 3: Making the cake batter
10 Minutes
Step 4
Step 4: Adding caramel and fruits
3 Minutes
Step 5
Step 5: Baking the cake
50-55 minutes

Plate it up!

Plating Instructions

plating-instructions-image

Use a simple plate to showcase the cake's rich, dark colour. Cut into generous slices and serve.

 

... Read More

Pairing Instructions

pairing-instructions-image

Serve the plum cake with a side of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. 

 

... Read More

Garnishing Instructions

garnishing-instructions-image

Dust the cooled cake generously with powdered sugar for a classic look. 

 

... Read More

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