Eggless Christmas Cake

Serves 6

Ingredients 

For Soaking

Cashewnuts (crushed) – ¼ cup

Almonds (crushed) – ¼ cup

Pista (crushed) – ¼ cup

Raisins – ¼ cup

Candied fruits - ¼ cup

Dried Blue Berries - handful

Dried Cranberries - handful

Orange juice - ⅔cup

 

For Batter

All purpose Flour(maida) – 1cup

Cocoa powder – 3 tbsp

Clove powder - ¼ tsp

Cinnamon powder - ½ tsp

Nutmeg powder - ¼ tsp

Ginger powder - ¾ tsp

Sugar(fine grain) – ¾ cup

Butter(melted, salted) – 5 tbsp

Vanilla Extract – 1tsp

Baking powder – 1½ tsp

Chocolate chips – ½ cup

Milk (room temp) – 1cup

Salt - 1kg

Method 

Soak the dried fruits in either rum or brandy and in case you do not wish to use alcohol then you can soak the fruits in orange juice. Soak them for at least 2hours, overnight is preferable.

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon powder. Add in sugar, melted butter, vanilla milk and chocolate chunks. Add in the soaked dried fruits and mix them together.

Line a baking mould with butter paper and pour in the batter. We now have 2 methods to prepare the cake. 

Method 1 - Place the filled cake tin in a steamer and cook it for approx 30-35mins. Insert a knife to check if it comes out clean. If yes remove the cake and let it cool. If the knife is still wet then steam the cake for another 5-7mins or till it gets cooked completely.

Method 2 - preheat an oven at 180c for 35-40mins or till the cake is completely cooked from the centre.  Insert a knife to check if it comes out clean. If yes remove the cake and let it cool. If the knife is still wet then steam the cake for another 5-7mins or till it gets cooked completely.