Marble Fruit Cake



It is Christmas season …(well too early to say that…though….) and time to indulge in some cakes. Infact there need not be any reason to prepare this cake but to prepare a fruit cake I think you need a seasonal inspiration.

The idea of a marble fruit cake has been in my mind for sometime and I tried it with some skepticism. But the result was fabulous with lots of appreciation from all quarters…. to whomever I shared. This is an easy cake since the amount of fruits is comparatively less and does not require long preparation time for chopping or soaking ….it is just all quick.

The flavors of vanilla and chocolate alongwith the flavors of orange rind and rum complement well to give a really nice taste.


the recipe

Butter – 120 gms
Flour – 3 cups (300 gms)
Baking powder – ¾ tsp
Egg- 3
Caster Sugar – 2 ¼ cup (240 gms)

Combination of fruits & nuts

Dates – 10
Raisins – 20
Cherry – 20
Walnuts – a handful
Almonds – a handful

Rum – 2 tbsp or orange juice – 2 tbsp
Salt – 2 pinch

Cocoa powder -2 heap tbsp
Milk – 3 tbsp

Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Orange rind, chopped – 1 tbsp
Blanched almonds - 10


the method

# Chop the fruits and soak them in rum or orange juice for 2 – 3 hours.

# Prepare a baking pan (butter the pan and dust it with flour). Place a round sheet of paper on the bottom of the pan. I usually prepare the pan and leave it in the refrigerator so that the butter does not melt and lose its consistency.

# Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder three times.

# Mix the soaked fruits and nuts. Dust one fourth of the flour mix with the fruit and nut and roughly mix.

# Add the cocoa powder to the milk, mix well and keep it aside.

# Since this is a marble cake, two bowls are required for the cake batter.

# Preheat oven at 170 C.

In a mixing bowl, place the butter and beat it with an electric mixer until soft. Add the sugar in 3 batches and continue mixing. Once all the sugar is added beat in high speed for 5 minutes until the butter sugar mixture has doubled in volume. Add the egg one by one. Beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract. Add the flour in 2-3 batches and mix with a spatula. Add the orange rind and flour coated, fruits and nuts.

Pour half of the cake batter into another bowl. Add the cocoa mix and mix well.

Take the prepared pan and first place one third of the vanilla batter in the middle of the pan. Then place half of the cocoa batter followed by a third of vanilla, another half of cocoa and finally the third portion of the vanilla batter. Make sure the batter is place in the middle one after another.

To spread the batter till the edge of the pan and to get the marble shape use a knife or your pointing finger, dig into the middle of the batter and gently move it in circular motion. Tap the cake pan gently so that the batter smoothens itself on top.

(At this stage I was slightly in a hurry and that is why the marble shape did not appear clearly. For a better understanding of the marble design please take a look at the simple marble cake which I have prepared earlier).


Decorate the top of the cake with blanched almonds. Bake at 170C for 30 – 35 minutes. Check after 30 minutes till a skewer inserted comes out clean. Take out the cake and let it cool.

This is a very moist and super delicious cake. Do try it this Christmas season and  let me know.

cheers..


the recipe goes to Bake Fest & Christmas Delicacy & Hearth & Soul Blog Hop


25 comments:

  1. Fruit marbel cake looks awesome and perfectly baked.

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  2. Love those swirls they have come out so beautifully....yummy!

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  3. Elegant and inviting marble cake,delicious..

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  4. The marbled effect on the cake looks great.Nice cake to try for X'mas :)

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  5. Cake looks fantastic. Thanks for setting up the mood for Christmas which is just a little more than a month away.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  6. Lovely cake,came out beautiful...yum

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  7. delicious looking cake looks wonderful

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  8. Delish cake,...perfect for xmas!!
    Prathima Rao
    Prat Corner

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  9. Wow.. awesome and delicious recipe.. looks perfect. thanks for the recipe :)

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  10. super.......delicious cake


    Glad 2 follow u.......do drop at my space

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  11. Cake looks superb..:) Loved it..
    Reva

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  12. Wow!!looks really yuumy and tasty:)

    Taste of Saras Kitchen
    http://www.bsaraswathy.blogspot.com

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  13. This sounds wonderful. Bob and I love fruit cake so we'll have to give this a try. Have a great evening. Blessings...Mary

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  14. first time here....wow marble fruit cake looks just awesome...loved the pics....glad 2 follow ur space :-)
    i too hav a space on various fish recipes...do visit when time permits !

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  15. Beautiful cake - looks like a piece of art work!

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  16. Roshan, Tomato and soy sauce is perfectly fine for the event.

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  17. Wow! that's a super yumm cake. Would love to try a fruit cake.

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  18. marble cake looks fabulous... amazing... would surely give it a try...

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  19. Marble fruit cake looks delicious, I make fruit cakes for Christmas. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop.

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Try it and let me know if you wanted to make some changes or if you made some changes and share the idea!

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