Diana's Desserts - www.dianasdesserts.com
http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipes.recipeListing/filter/guest/recipeID/2799/Recipe.cfm

Victorian Christmas Cake

Servings: 10-12
Comments:
Make this old-fashioned cocoa flavored spiced applesauce cake for your Christmas dessert and your family and friends will be delighted. The smell of this cake baking in the oven is "to die for" and tastes even better once you've taken your first bite.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups applesauce (unsweetened)
1 1/2 cups shortening (such as Crisco)
1/2 cup cider (sweet or hard cider)
3/4 cup chopped dates (optional)
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 eggs

Garnish: (optional)
Confectioners' sugar
Whipped cream or Clotted cream

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Grease and lightly flour a 10-inch tube or bundt pan.

Sift dry ingredients into mixing bowl. Drop in shortening. Add applesauce and cider and mix with electric mixer. Add eggs and mix again. Stir in fruit and chopped nuts. Batter will be stiff. Pour into prepared tube or bundt pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F (180 C) oven for 1 hour. Remove to wire rack, let cool for 15 minutes, and invert onto rack to cool completely. Before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar if desired, and serve with whipped cream or clotted cream.

Makes 10-12 servings.

Photograph taken by Diana Baker Woodall© 2005

Date: November 24, 2005