Kerala Plum Cake/Xmas Fruit Cake

A LONGgggg time wish when i started baking was -to make a perfect Kerala Plum Cake and finally dis Xmas i did ..oh!! am so happy it came out so YUM n Gud...my hubby really luved it ..well the credit goes to Sangeetha (from Kothiyavunu.com)..Thanx!!! for sharing such a Delicious n Easy Plum Cake recipe...Thanx once again.

For Caramel
Granulated Sugar - 1/2 cup
Water - 1 tbsp + 1 cup

• Heat a heavy -bottomed vessel & add the sugar with 1 tbsp water on medium high heat.You'll find that the sugar will melt & start to change colour.Don't stir,you can swirl the vessel,once or twice.When you find that the color has changed to a little darker golden brown color,turn off heat.Immediately,pour 1/2cup water VERY Carefully into the caramel & stir-mix well.Cool caramel before adding to the cake batter.(This could be made ahead & stored in the fridge for a few days)

For Spice
Caraway Seeds - 1 tsp
Cinnamon powder - 1/4tsp
Nutmeg powder - 1/4tsp
Ginger powder - 1/4tsp
Cloves powder - 1/4tsp

For Cake Batter
Maida - 1 cup
Butter - 3/4cup(room temp.)
Sugar - 1cup
Baking Powder - 1tsp
Vanilla ess. - 1 tsp
Eggs - 2 (room  temp.)
Tutti fruitti - 1 cup
Raisins - 1/4cup
Cashew - 1/4cup
Almonds & Walnuts - 1/4cup
Dates - 1/4cup
Dry Fig  - 1/4cup (not in the original recipe..but i used it)
Rum/Wine - 1 cup or enough to soak the dry fruits

• Chop and soak the ingredients( typed in orange color) in rum/wine and keep it in a bottle overnight at room temp.(it could be prepared a month/week in advance-will taste much flavourful..rum/wine could be substituted with pineapple or orange juice..i used sweet wine here)

Method : -

1. Pre-heat oven @ 180 degree C.
2. Sift the flour,baking powder & keep it aside.
3. Separate egg yolks from white.In a separate bowl,whisk egg yolks & vanilla ess.
4. Beat butter and sugar till  creamy & combined well.
5. Add egg yolk mixture little by little,alternating with a tbsp of sieved flour & combine till smooth.
6. Pour in 1/2cup caramel syrup & all the spice powders and beat thoroughly till everything is creamy & combined.
7. Add the flour in small quantities and fold in with wooden spoon.
8. Drain the soaked dry fruits and add them to the above batter. 
9. Whisk egg whites till it forms peaks & gently fold into the Cake batter till well combined.
10. Grease cake tin & line with parchment paper.Pour batter up to half of the prepared cake tin.
11. Bake for 45-50 min.

 Njoy Yummy Plum Cake on Xmas n New Year...Best wishes to everyone !!!