Christmas Recipes
Traditional South Indian Christmas Cake
In India's Kerala state, Christians buy or make Christmas cakes to give away.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces diced orange peel (candied or plain)
- 1 1/2 cups golden raisins
- 1/2 cup currants
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons brandy
- 2 1/2 cups butter
- 6 cups granulated sugar
- 10 eggs, separated
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons instant dried coffee granules
- 1/4 cup warm water
Instructions
- Soak orange peel, raisins, currants, cashews, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom in vanilla extract and brandy. Set aside.
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Coat two 9 inch round cake pans with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg yolks one at a time.
- Mix the flour and baking powder, add to the mixture and beat well.
- Add the raisin mixture.
- Mix the instant dried coffee with 1/4 cup warm water and add to the mixture.
- Beat the egg whites and add last to the mixture.
- Pour into the cake pans and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the cakes turn golden brown or when a wooden pick inserted into the cakes comes out clean.
Notes
For the best result, bake the cakes and wrap them in aluminum foil at least a week before serving. You don't need to refrigerate them.