In my childhood, we used to share Diwali sweets and snacks with our neighbors, who reciprocated the favor during Christmas. Oh, I absolutely love those awesome fruitcakes they make for Christmas! With great hesitation, I tried the eggless version of the fruit cake,  but it came out pretty good. Wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!


Ingredients:

all-purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
butter - 2 sticks
raisins - 1 cup
dried cherries - 1/4 cup
dried cranberries - 1/3 cups
dried blueberries - 1/4 cup
apple juice - 3/4 cup
baking powder - 1 tsp
baking soda - 1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp
vinegar - 1 tbsp
sugar (light brown) - 1/2 cup
milk - 3 tbsp

Method:

Soak dried fruit in apple juice overnight.
Mix 1/2 tsp baking soda in vinegar and keep aside.
Sift flour, baking powder and the remaining half teaspoon baking soda (I repeat this process a few times).

Blend butter, sugar and vinegar together with a hand-blender. Add flour mixture slowly, along with milk. Drain the soaked dry-fruits and use the liquid little by little to prepare the cake batter. Mix in the soaked dry-fruits. Pour into a buttered cake pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees (Fahrenheit) for about 90 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean.

Notes:
1. The batter is usually thicker for fruitcake than regular cake.
2. Any combination of dry fruits can be used, but sugar needs to be adjusted according to the sweetness of the dry fruits.