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4 from 1 vote

Dundee Cake (Scottish Cake with Almonds on Top)

Dundee cake is a traditional Scottish Christmas fruit cake. There are lots of versions, but what they all have in common are gorgeous concentric circles of blanched almonds on top, a boozy glaze, and orange zest in the batter.
Course: cakes, Christmas, Dessert, festivals
Cuisine: Scottish
Keyword: Christmas Cake, dundee cake, eggless cakes, eggless christmas cake, traditional christmas cake

Ingredients

  • 1 & 1/2 Cups All purpose flour
  • 3/4 Cup Powdered Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Almonds powdered
  • 1/2 Cup Oil
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1/2 Cup Mixed nuts and raisins
  • 3 tbsp Orange Marmalade
  • 1/4 Cup Berries optional
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Mixed Spices
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
  • 1 tsp Lemon zest
  • 1 tsp Orange zest
  • Few Almonds Blanched for garnishing

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 160 degrees Celcius with a rack in the middle. Prepare a 9-inch springform pan with spray oil, and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Warm the milk and add lemon juice and keep aside to curdle.
  • Take all the dry fruits and raisins in a bowl and sprinkle 2 tbsp flour to coat them well to avoid them from sinking.
  • In a mixing Bowl add oil, butter and grounded sugar. Beat well until light and creamy.
  • Add curdled milk, orange marmalade, lemon zest, orange zest and vanilla essence. Mix well.
  • Sieve all the dry ingredients All purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking soda, Mixed Spices and Ground Almonds. Mix Well do not overmix.
  • Add Coated nuts and fold with spatula. You will get a dense batter.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top of the batter with an offset spatula and place the almonds on top of the batter in concentric rings.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 160 degrees for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • If the cake browns too quickly cover it with aluminum foil. 
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

  • To blanch whole almonds yourself (ie, to remove the skins), put the almonds in boiling hot water and let them soak for one minute.  Drain the almonds and the skins should slip off easily.  Discard the skins.
  • Spice powder (1/2 tsp cinnamon powder +1/2 tsp ginger powder + 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder)
  • For the best results, the cake should be left to age for up to three days to get it to ripen and develop flavor. Dundee cake is typically served with afternoon tea and is regularly prepared for Christmas.