Ingredients
– 2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, cherries, apricots, etc.)
– 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
– 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup packed brown sugar
– 3 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup orange juice
– Zest of 1 orange
Equipment Needed
– Large mixing bowl
– Electric mixer (optional but helpful)
– Rubber spatula
– Measuring cups and spoons
– 9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan
– Parchment paper
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s dive into the fun part! First, I start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease my cake pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal later. In a large mixing bowl, I cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Then, I add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract. The aroma in my kitchen is simply amazing at this point! (See the next page below to continue steps…)