She was a brilliant baker and we used to eagerly wait for Christmas so we could savour her rich fruity cakes. I can never forget that transparent box of neatly arranged dark, dense and moist fruity slices of Plum cake that she would lovingly share with us every year.

An Anglo-Indian by birth and a spinster, she was our English teacher who stayed very close to our colony in Udaipur. She was short and frail, she kept her long shiny white hair plaited down her neck and her hands would always smell like vanilla pods.

A dedicated teacher, Ms. Maria was also an amazing baker. Her caramel cakes, rum infused balls, home-made toffees, chocolate biscuits, swiss rolls were to die for.

Many of us did not celebrate Christmas  at our homes and we would flock Ms. Maria’s house during the entire week of festival. She would recite stories to us, sing carols and dance with us on Christmas Eve.

Yes, Christmas filled her with joy unbound and brought her deserted & quiet house to life. The celebrations in turn gave us some unforgettable moments, etched in our hearts forever.

Food has an incredible power to evoke the past and to remind us of great celebratory occasions. Every time that I bake a plum cake it reminds me of her and brings a large smile on my face.

I like the fanfare attached with Christmas. The aromas of warm spices, Santa Claus, the socks filled with gifts, singing & dancing and sharing goodies with friends.

Christmas is round the corner again and it’s just not right without a little bit of baking. I have been baking non-stop for the last few days and loving every moment of packing and sending these goodies to friends.

Well, I know that nothing can beat the rich spiced Christmas cakes loaded with caramel, brandy, vine fruits and nuts. But with exams for children and work at hand, time is a big constraint. And this is when I look forward to my short-cut recipes.

Here are a few shortcut Christmas cakes that I bake and share with my friends. These goodies take almost no time to bake and are a best alternative to the rich Christmas cakes if you are short on time. I really enjoy these simple and fuss free and stress-free festive recipes.

1. Whole-wheat plum cake

Ingredients;

• 2 cups assorted dried fruits
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp. Vanilla essence
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• A pinch of salt

Method;

Soak all the dried fruits in orange jucie overnight. I have used an assortment of; raisins, sultanas, figs, dates, dried strawberries, candied fruits, dried blueberries and mango pieces in the recipe.

Pre heat oven to 180°C and grease a round baking tin.

Sift flour, cinnamon powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

Filter the soaked fruits in a small bowl and add all the fruits in the flour mix and combine well to coat all the fruits with dry flour.

Add brown sugar, filtered orange juice, oil and vanilla essence in the bowl of flour and combine all ingredients.

You can also use caramelized sugar or palm sugar for a lovely colour and taste.

Pour the batter into the greased baking tin and bake it for about 30-35 minutes till the top turns golden brown in colour.

Let the plum cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

2. Eggless Candied fruit cake

Ingredients;

• 1 cup Wheat flour
• 1/2 cup All purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup candied fruits or Tutti frutty
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla essence
• 1 tsp. baking powder

Method; Pre heat oven at 180°and grease a baking tin.

Sift both the flour and baking power in a large bowl.

Add candied fruits or Tutti fruity in the flour and combine t coat all the fruits with flour.

Whisk oil and sugar in another bowl till sugar is dissolved.

Pour oil-sugar mixture, vanilla essence, apple cider vinegar and milk in the bowl of flour and fold to combine all the ingredients.

Pour the batter in the greased baking tin and bake at 180° for about 25-30 minutes r till the cake is done.

You can brush the cake with a little milk after taking it out of the oven and bake it again for 5 minutes to get a glaze on top.

Let the Candied fruit cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Check a few more eggless cakes I have been baking for friends on my other blog here.

Notes;

1. Replace Apple cider vinegar with lemon juice if you don’t have it.
2. Use a combination of any dried fruits and nuts of your choice in the recipe.
3. Cake baked with only wholewheat comes out slightly denser than the cake baked with all purpose flour.
4. I also added a tablespoon of brandy in a few of my cakes, it gives a lovely aroma. Avoid it if the cake is baked for children.
5. Replace brown sugar with honey for another healthier and flavorful version of Plum cakes.
6. You can also use Palm sugar for rich and dark coloured plum cake.

Festive greetings from Lite Bite!

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