INGREDIENTS:
For soaking:
*Raisins- 3 tbsp
*Almonds- 3 tbsp (blanched and chopped)
*Cashews- 3 tbsp (roughly chopped)
*Cherry- 3 tbsp (roughly chopped)
*Dates- 3 tbsp (sliced)
*Tutti frutti- 6 tbsp
*Orange juice- ½ cup
For the date puree:
*Dates- 1 cup
*Milk- ½ cup
For the Caramel sauce:
*Sugar- 4 tbsp
*Warm water- 8 tbsp
For the batter:
*Fresh orange juice- ¾ cup
*Milk- ½ cup
*Oil- 6 tbsp
*Vanilla essence- 1 tsp
*All- purpose flour- 2 cups
*Powdered sugar- ¾ cup
*Baking powder- 1 tsp
*Baking soda- ¼ tsp
*Cocoa powder- 1 tbsp
*Instant coffee powder- 1 tsp
*Orange peel- 2 tbsp (Remove pulp and fiber from orange, discard the
white part. Now slice the peel finely)
PROCEDURE:
*Soak all the dry fruits in the juice for about 3 hrs.
For the dates puree:
*Soak the dates (seedless) in the milk for 5 hrs.
*Blend the dates to a fine puree. Set aside.
For the Caramel sauce:
*In a sauce pan, add sugar and melt on a low flame.
*Stir in the middle, when the sugar starts to caramelize add warm
water.
*Let it come to a boil, now switch off the flame and let it cool
completely.
*The sauce should be of pouring consistency.
Preparation of the batter:
*In a large mixing bowl, add the dates puree, oil, fresh orange juice,
vanilla essence. Whisk well to form a smooth consistency.
*In another bowl, sieve together all the dry ingredients.
*Now add the dry into the wet mixture and fold in to remove lumps.
*Now add the Caramel sauce, orange peel and the soaked dry fruits.
*Mix by cut and fold method and do not overmix. Fold only till all the
flour pockets have disappeared.
*Now pour this batter in a greased and lined tin.
*Tap to remove air bubbles.
*Place in a preheated kadhai and bake for 35- 40 mins on medium to low
flame.
*Once done, cool the cake completely.
*Decorate the cake according to your choice.
*Fruit cake with a twist is ready.
