Plum Cake

Is it really Christmas if you don't have a fruit cake at your house? It's a tradition for me to help my mom bake these for our friends and family every year. Here's our version of a Christmas Plum cake!

- 2 cups flour - 2 sticks of butter (room temp) - 6 eggs (room temp) - 2 cups sugar (1/4 c of that for caramel) - 1 T baking powder - Pinch of salt - 1/4 t cinnamon powder - 1/4 t cardamom powder - 1/4 t dried ginger powder - 1/4 t ground clove - Pinch of nutmeg (freshly grated) - 1 T orange juice (freshly squeezed) - Zest of 1 orange - 1 t lemon juice (freshly squeezed) - Zest of 1 lemon - 1 T vanilla extract - 1/4 c raisin - 1/4 c chopped cashews - 1/4 c chopped dates - 1/4 c chopped walnuts - 1/4 c candies peel (optional) - Maraschino cherries (optional)

• Soak your raisins, dates, and candies peel in a glass jar with enough rum or orange juice to cover it and close with a lid. If possible, let it soak for 2-3 weeks. If you are in a rush, let it soak for at least a day. • Pre-heat oven to 350°F • On medium heat, add 1/4 c of sugar into a saucepan. When the color changes to a caramel, turn off the heat and slowly add 1/4 c of warm water a little at a time and mix. Be careful of possible splatter. • Once well combined, set aside to cool. If the caramel hardens, fret not! Just heat it on the stove again on low heat. • In a large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. To that add 1 egg at a time and beat until you’ve added all your eggs and are left with a smooth mixture. • To that add your cooled caramel sauce. • Sift your flour, baking powder, and spices. • Drain your dried fruits and set aside. Chop up the cashews and walnuts. Add a Tbsp of flour to your fruits and nuts and coat well to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your cake. • Add dry ingredients to your egg mixture a little at a time and fold until well combined. • Add your nuts and fruits and also fold into the batter. • Into a greased and parchment paper lined 9x13 in. baking dish or 9 in. round cake pan, pour your batter. Tap on the counter a few times to release any trapped air bubbles. • If you would like, coat a few cashews halves and maraschino cherries in flour and place on top to decorate. • Place into the oven and bake on the middle tray for 45-50 mins. (Maybe more or less depending on your oven) • Let the cake cool completely before you cut into it.