Christmas Fruit Cake

Dashing through the snow, in one horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way
Bells on Bob tails ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells , jingle bells , jingle all the way !
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells , jingle bells , jingle all the way !
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

With all the carols on the radio, lights on the streets and amazing display of treats and candies in stores, all of us get lost in the festive spirits of the joyous Christmas season even without realizing it. Whether you are still shopping for the gifts or just still decorating the tree and hanging up stockings for Santas gifts, take some time out to try this Xmas special fruit cake. This is our experiment to keep with the mallu tradition to have fruit cake with a glass of homemade fruit wine to kick start the great day.

We wish you and all your loved ones a Merry Christmas!!!!!

Ingredients
Eggs: 3 Large
All purpose flour: 1 cup
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
Vanilla Essence: 1 teaspoon
Butter: 2 sticks/8 oz
Brown Sugar: 2/3 cup
All Spice powder: 2 1/2 teaspoons

(Powder the following : Nutmeg-1/4 teaspoon, Cloves- 2-3, Cinnamon powder - 1/2 teaspoon, Cardamom- 2 pods, ginger powder - 1/2 teaspoon)

Lemon Zest: 1/2 teaspoon
Orange Zest: 1/2 teaspoon
Rum: 2 Tablespoons
White Sugar (Caramelized): 1/3 cup
Nuts: 1/4 cup
Candied Fruits (pre-soaked in rum/brandy): 1/4 cup

(Candied fruits can be glazed cherries, pineapples, raisins, dates, dried cranberries or whatever other dried fruits of your choice)

*Its better to pre-soak the dried fruits in rum or brandy at least one day in advance.

*Keep the butter and eggs at room temperature for some time before you start to make the cake.

Begin by beating the butter and sugar until smooth. Slowly add in the eggs one by one and beat until ivory. Add the vanilla essence. Sieve the all purpose flour and add the baking powder, spice powder and keep aside. Slowly mix in this flour to the beaten mixture in little portions. Meanwhile caramelize sugar into a dark brown syrup.Make sure the sugar doesn't get burnt in this process. Add the caramelized sugar syrup and mix thoroughly. Add the lemon and orange zest, nuts and soaked fruits and the remaining rum if any. Do not use the hand mixer or blender after this because the nuts and the candied fruits might get ground up. Use a spatula instead and keep mixing the batter in one direction until it is smooth in a pourable consistency.

Pre heat the oven at 350° F. Grease a baking pan with some butter and pour this batter and bake until the center comes out clean when you poke with a knife. It should approximately take 30-45 mins.

Let it completely cool down before you slice it. It stays fresh for more than one week if stored in an air tight container. Enjoy this festive delight with your family n friends and have a happy holiday season.

Sending the above recipe to Cakes n Cookies Event hosted by Sara of Sara's Corner. Also to Dil Se for the event Show Me Your Cake