Recipe

Zelten - Italian Christmas Fruitcake

Festive Delight: Zelten - A Taste of Italian Christmas

4.3 out of 5

Indulge in the flavors of Italian Christmas with Zelten, a traditional fruitcake that is rich in history and taste. This delightful treat is packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, making it a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations.

Dessert› Cake› Zelten

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Italian cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

60-70 minutes

Total time

80-90 minutes

Yields

8 servings

Preparation difficulty

Medium

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Dairy-free (if using dairy-free milk), Nut-free (if omitting nuts), Soy-free, Kosher

Allergens

Eggs, Nuts (almonds, walnuts)

Not suitable for

Vegan, Gluten-free, Egg-free, Paleo, Low-carb

Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (120ml) milk 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
2 large eggs 2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (150g) dried figs, chopped 1 cup (150g) dried figs, chopped
1 cup (150g) raisins 1 cup (150g) raisins
1/2 cup (75g) candied orange peel, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) candied orange peel, chopped
1/2 cup (75g) almonds, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) almonds, chopped
1/2 cup (75g) walnuts, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) walnuts, chopped

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
Fat: 12g (2g saturated)
Carbohydrates: 50g (30g sugars)
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 4g
Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease a round cake pan.
2.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, olive oil, honey, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until well combined.
5.
Fold in the dried figs, raisins, candied orange peel, almonds, and walnuts.
6.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7.
Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8.
Allow the Zelten to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9.
Once cooled, slice and serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Dried figs — Soak the dried figs in warm water for 10 minutes before chopping them. This will help soften them and make them easier to incorporate into the cake batter.

Tips & Tricks

For a boozy twist, soak the dried fruits in rum or brandy overnight before adding them to the cake batter.
To enhance the flavor, toast the almonds and walnuts before chopping them.
Serve the Zelten warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
Store the Zelten in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
For a festive touch, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Zelten as a dessert during your Christmas dinner or enjoy it as a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee. It can also be wrapped in parchment paper and given as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season.

Presentation advice

To present the Zelten, place it on a decorative cake stand or serving platter. You can garnish it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a few candied orange peels, or a sprig of fresh mint for an elegant touch.