LIGHT FRUIT CAKE

FRUIT CAKE (LIGHT)

This is a cake that is prepared with the readily available tutti fruitti tid bits from the store. You need the basic ingredients of eggs, flour, sugar and baking powder and you are good to go. So here goes....the ingredients first.

INGREDIENTS

• 200 Grams Plain Flour - Sifted with Baking Powder
• 200 Grams Castor Suger
• 200 Grams Butter (At Room Temperature)
• 4 Eggs (At Room Temperature)
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Flavouring Essence (Vanilla, Pineapple, Strawberry, etc.,)
• 3 Tablespoons Milk OR Orange Juice
• 4 Tablespoons Tutti Frutti bits    

DIRECTIONS

Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients set out.  You will need 2 loaf baking tins or a round baking tin measuring 9 inches or a square one measuring 9x9 inches. Grease and line the tins and set them aside. Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees C.

1) Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric whisk, whisk up the butter for a few seconds. Add the sugar and mix it in using a spatula. Otherwise it will fly all over you if you start whisking it before it has slightly moistened with the butter. Start with low speed and then increase speed after a minute. Whisk the butter and sugar until light and fluffy and pale in colour. This should take a minute more. Please do not over-whisk as it will become oily and that is not what we want. 

2) Crack an egg into a separate bowl and add to the batter. Whisk at low speed. Keep adding the eggs one at a time in the same manner. Whisk only until the eggs have incorporated well into the batter. Set the electric whisk aside.

3)  Tip in half the quantity of the sifted flour and fold it into the batter. Add the rest of the flour BUT save about 4 Tablespoons. Fold the flour in using a spatula. Add the flavouring essence you are using along with the milk or orange juice. Mix these in well. The consistency of the batter should drop from a spoon and hold its shape. 

4) Add the tutti frutti bits into the remaining flour and dredge them in well.  If you miss this step, the pieces of fruit will sink to the bottom of the cake. Now add the tutti frutti along with the flour into the cake batter. Fold these in quickly but lightly. 

5) Pour the batter into the prepared tin or tins. Lift and tap the tin on your working top. Place the tin in the pre-heated oven and bake for 40 - 45 minutes. To check whether it is done, insert a clean and dry skewer into the centre and it should come out clean. If you see some batter sticking to the skewer, pop the cake back into the oven for a further few minutes. 

6) Remove from oven and wait for it to cool before you turn it out onto your serving plate. Slice as desired and serve.