CRANBERRY AND NUT CHRISTMAS CAKE www.foodtechnology.co.nz 5 FT146 Let’s Go Nuts this Christmas Nuts are a Christmas staple all over the world – whatever the climate! Kiwis have become much more adventurous with their festive menu and are quick adopters of new ideas. This fact allows manufacturers to get creative this Christmas. Between the inevitable nut-laden fruit cakes and Christmas mince pies, there’s so many other ways nuts can be incorporated into all types of festive and holiday season foods. Thanks to their high protein content and good (or heart-healthy) unsaturated fats, nuts have become recognised as nutritional superstars as well as adding great flavour, taste and texture to food. When it comes to traditional Christmas stuffing, adding ground nuts with dried fruit adds both texture and flavour to complement the meat. Ground nuts can also replace some of the white flour in pie crusts, loaves and muffins. James Crisp is a leading New Zealand importer and supplier of quality nuts to bakers, food service and the food manufacturing industry. Sourced from around the world, James Crisp offers an extensive selection of high quality nuts. The variety of nuts available is extensive but include Almonds; Brazils; Cashews; Hazelnuts; Macadamias, Peanuts, Pecans, Pistachios and Walnuts. Method Preheat the oven to 150 degrees. Lightly grease a deep, 20 cm round cake tin and line with baking paper. Combine the chopped fruit, sherry, sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled melted butter, then the sifted flour and spice. Mix gently. Spoon into the cake tin and smooth the top with a wet hand. Bake for about 1 ½ hours or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Brush the jam over the cake and sprinkle with the dried fruit and almonds. Ingredients 170g dried cranberries 200g dried apricots 430g sultanas 200g nuts of choice (or a mix) ¼ cup sherry or brandy ¾ cup white sugar 3 eggs, lightly beaten 175g butter, melted 1 ½ cups high grade flour 1 tsp mixed spice Topping ¼ cup sieved apricot jam ¼ cup chopped dried apricots ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup pineapple ¼ cup raisins ¼ cup sliced almonds
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