Election Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) whole wheat flour 3 cups (360g) whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (150g) raisins 1 cup (150g) raisins
• 1 cup (150g) currants 1 cup (150g) currants
• 1 cup (150g) chopped dried apricots 1 cup (150g) chopped dried apricots
• 1 cup (150g) chopped dried figs 1 cup (150g) chopped dried figs
• ½ cup (120ml) dark rum ½ cup (120ml) dark rum

Nutrition

• Calories: 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat: 16g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 53g (Sugars: 30g)
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, and buttermilk until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. 5.
   In a small saucepan, heat the rum over low heat until warm. Remove from heat and add the raisins, currants, apricots, and figs. Let them soak for 10 minutes.
6. 6.
   Fold the soaked fruits into the cake batter.
7. 7.
   Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.
8. 8.
   Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried Fruits — Ensure the dried fruits are moist and plump. If they are too dry, soak them in warm water for a few minutes before using.
• Dark Rum — If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute the rum with apple juice or orange juice for a fruity flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a teaspoon of grated orange zest to the batter.
• Serve the Election Cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
• If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• To enhance the cake's richness, you can drizzle a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice over the cooled cake.
• This cake tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have time to meld together. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature.

Serving advice

Slice the Election Cake into generous portions and serve it on a festive platter. This cake is best enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee or tea, allowing the flavors to mingle and create a delightful experience.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Election Cake, you can dust the top with powdered sugar or decorate it with a drizzle of glaze. Garnish the serving platter with fresh berries or sprigs of mint for a pop of color.