Absolutely YUM Christmas Spice Fruit Cake

 To me, nothing says Christmas louder than a warm kitchen wafting smells of baking. With Christmas just around the corner, I have been trying out recipes for Christmas dinner feast. In addition to the traditional options, I was looking for an alcohol free version of fruitcake that I could serve to my younger guests and by Jove, I think I’ve found it!!! After trying several variations to the recipe, I’m absolutely stoked to share the recipe of this absolutely delicious spiced fruit cake. This is an ideal cake for Christmas, loaded with fruit, nuts, and spices that pack this cake with deliciousness! I have made it twice and it has been polished off both times before it has even had time to cool properly.

I have made a few minor tweaks to the original recipe by Omana Paul. I got it from a friend who called it “plum cake” which wasn’t fair since this recipe has no plums in it. It comes together quickly and tastes divine. One tip before you begin though, I had to throw out an entire batch because I cracked an egg directly in my batter and the egg was bad. Always crack your eggs in a separate bowl, or do the egg float test to check for freshness before you start a recipe.

The recipe yields one 6″ cake. Happy Baking!

YOU WILL NEED:

For the cake:

white sugar 3/4 cup

room temperature butter 2/3 cup

eggs 3

Plain flour 1 cup

chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, or walnuts) 1/2 cup

black raisins 1/4 cup

mixed dried fruit (dates, cherries, orange peels) 1/2 cup

cinnamon powder 1/2 tsp

clove powder 1/4 tsp

baking powder 1 tsp

vanilla extract 1 tsp

Salt 1/8 tsp

For the syrup:

white sugar 1/2 cup

WHAT TO DO:

Make the syrup. Melt half a cup of sugar in a pan on low heat till it turns into a dark caramel colour. Don’t let it burn. But make sure you don’t let it burn. Turn off heat and add about 1/4 cup water. The sugar will crystallize and harden. Put it back on the heat for about 10 minutes or until the sugar crystals dissolve. Cool and set aside.

Pre-heat oven to 350F / 180C.

Mix 3 tbsp. flour to the dry fruits and nuts. Dredge completely to coat them. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the batter while baking. Put aside.

In a separate bowl mix remaining flour with the baking powder, spices, and salt.

Whip the butter together with the 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Incorporate the vanilla and one egg into the batter.

Then mix in a bit of the flour mixture. Then add another egg. Repeat alternating between the eggs and flour till they are all used up.

Add in the cool caramel and fruits and gently fold in.

Pour into a greased cake pan and bake until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out with dry crumbs, about 45 minutes to an hour.

Dust with icing sugar after the cake has cooled.

Enjoy!!!

Holiday Breakfast Recipes: Start Your Day off Right

 The holidays are a time for family, friends, and good food. And what better way to start your day off right than with a delicious holiday breakfast?

Here are a few of our favorite holiday breakfast recipes:

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole by Dish In the Kitchen

Buffalo Chicken Crescent Rolls by Julie’s Eats and Treats 

Easy Breakfast Bake by Where is My Spoon

Chicken Pot Pie Buns by Dancing Through the Rain

Taco Crescent Ring by Frugal Fun Times

Sausage and Egg Crescents by Viral Recipes

Ham, Cheese and Broccoli Crescents by xoxo Bella 

Jalapeno Popper Crescent Cups by Spend with Pennies

Meatball Bites by Knife and Paddles

Ham and Cheese Crescent Ring by Feast for a Fraction

Crab and Cream Cheese Cups by Centsless Meals

Gyro Pockets by 365 Days of Baking

Chicken Crescents by Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons 

Sausage and Cheese Crescent Squares by Grits and Gouda

Cream Cheese Veggie Pizza by I Heart Vegetables

These are just a few of the many delicious holiday breakfast recipes out there. So next time you're looking for a way to start your day off right, reach for one of these recipes and enjoy!

Here are some additional tips for making the perfect holiday breakfast:

• Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. Fresh ingredients will give your breakfast a bright and flavorful taste.
• Don't be afraid to get creative. There are endless possibilities when it comes to holiday breakfasts, so have fun and experiment with different flavors and combinations.
• Garnish your breakfast with festive toppings. A little bit of garnish can go a long way in making your breakfast look and taste more festive.

With these tips in mind, you're sure to make a delicious holiday breakfast that everyone will love. Here are some additional tips for making Christmas breakfast a breeze:

• Plan ahead. The night before Christmas, take some time to gather your ingredients and prepare any necessary dishes. This will save you time in the morning and help you relax and enjoy your breakfast with your family and friends.
• Delegate tasks. If you have children, get them involved in the preparation of Christmas breakfast. This is a great way to start their day off on the right foot and teach them about the importance of family and tradition.
• Don't forget the coffee! Coffee is a must-have for any Christmas breakfast. Make sure to have plenty on hand for everyone to enjoy.

With a little planning and preparation, Christmas breakfast can be a delicious and festive way to start your holiday. So gather your family and friends, enjoy a delicious meal, and make some wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Check out these easy recipe ideas:

Unique Nachos

3 Ingredient Biscuits

Snickerdoodle Cake

Top Picks for Gifts for Guys

Shopping for the special men in your life can be a challenge! We are at less than 2 weeks until Christmas and I have been searching high and low for awesome gift ideas. I cannot bring myself to buy another pair of sleep pants or drug store shaving kit to wrap up and present to my husband or father.

This year I am sharing the most thoughtful, sophisticated, stylish and delicious gift options for the guys! Product samples were received to inspire this guide.

1) Silk Pocket Square; The City of New York

There is something really classy about a pocket square. This one is perfect for my history loving husband. The silk pocket square depicts the City of New York in the 1870's Retailing at under $60 this is a gift that adds so much flair to any outfit. The printing is eye catching and thought provoking, for a truly one of a kind gift.

2) Black Lapel Custom Velvet Dinner Jackets

This is a gift to splurge on, as it is truly a gorgeous dinner jacket. Perfect for a special event, or a unforgettable night on the town, any man with this ensemble in his closet is prepared for anything, no matter how swanky it may be. Retailing at $549 this jacket is a one of a kind. Conversation-starting, luxurious and reasonably priced, these custom-tailored velvet blazers are sure to make any man a standout for the holidays, whether he's just going out to a bar or dinner, or he's attending the most posh, highly celebratory events. These stunners come in navy blue, black and deep purple and are sure to make people ask the handsome man wearing them, "Where did you get that beautiful blazer?"

3)Eduplated.com

If your special guy wants to get in better shape or take steps to being healthier than ever, this app is perfect for gifting. Think match.com for dieters! It links him with a dietician to make healthy choices and start living his best life. There are 2 plans available starting at about $50 a month, or $100 a month. Since this is an app, you can truly shop at the last minute and still deliver a great gift!

4) GourmetGiftBaskets.com

I love the offerings from gourmetgiftbaskets.com and how they take the stress out of shopping by delivering a great gift, right to the door of whoever you are gifting! This year, I love the Fresh Fruit Gift Basket option for a sweet yet healthy holiday offering. Featuring red and green apples and oranges, this is a super fresh and inviting gift option. Retailing at under $100 this is an excellent way to send holiday cheer with a fantastic assortment of fruits, popcorn, cookies, crackers and so much more!

Because life is short and you should totally eat the cookies and brownies that Christmas has to offer, I love the Baked Goods Sampler Gift Basket . This basket is packed full of irresistible options like Peanut Butter Brownies, Lemon Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies and Chocolate Chunk Brownies to name a few. Retailing at under $60 this is a sweet gift for a great guy!

5) Thirty One Moosin Around Large Utility Totes

Thirty One has so many fun options for the whole family, and the guys are not excluded! I love that this is a masculine print that he won't mind carrying to games, events and practices. It is spacious and comfortable to carry and can be used in so many ways! Thirty One can help him get organized and carry all of the essentials on any adventure he goes on. Retailing at $35 this is a great gift for any guy on your list. You can also find this print on Thermal Lunch Totes, mini bins and more to give him the gift of organization and function on a budget.

6) Ugly Christmas Sweaters

This is one of the most fun gift options of the season. I love love love that they have star wars options available for the guys on your list. My favorites include the At At Ugly Christmas Sweater which is so subtly wonderful that if you don't know Star Wars you might not get it. I am also crazy for the Boba Fett button up sweater which is colorful and super cozy! Priced at under $50 these are festive and fun options for the guys on your list. If they aren't into Star Wars, no sweat, you can find so many other awesome options onsite.

If you have ideas for thoughtful gifts for him this Christmas, please leave a comment to share the inspiration! From my family to yours, Happy Holidays!