HOW TO SOAK DRIED FRUITS FOR A PERFECT CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE:
In a glass jar take chopped dates, raisins and mixed berries.
soak in grape juice. you can alternatively soak in orange juice, apple juice.
mix well and soak for at least 1 hour or until the dried fruits absorb all the juice.
PLUM CAKE BATTER PREPARATION:
In a large bowl take warm water and sugar.
Beat well until the sugar melts completely.
Now add oil . continue to beat for 2 mins.
Sieve Maida, baking soda and baking powder.
Now add salt, nutmeg powder, orange zest and vanilla extract.
using a spatula, mix using cut and fold method. do not over mix as the cake turns chewy then.
now add soaked dried fruits. make sure the dried fruits have absorbed all the juice, else drain off the juice and add dried fruits.
Add chopped walnuts and Almonds
mix gently, making sure the dried fruits are well combined.
Transfer the fruit cake batter to a cake tin.
Make sure to line a butter paper at the bottom to prevent from sticking and also tap twice to level up uniformly and remove any air bubbles if present.
place the cake pan into the preheated oven and bake at 160 degree or 375 F for 1 hour.
Insert a toothpick and check if the cake has baked completely.
cool the cake and then unmold the eggless Christmas cake.
Enjoy eggless Christmas cake or store in an airtight container and serve up to a week.