These spiced brandy fruitcake minis are packed with brandy-soaked dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and warm spices, making them the perfect edible gift or festive Christmas dessert.
284gcandied fruit and nut mixture2 cups reserved for topping
2gground cardamom
120gdried cherries
2gground cinnamon
120gdried cranberries
28gnondairy butter
170gnondairy yogurtplain or vanilla
120gdried pineapple
180mlpineapple juice
170gdried plumsquartered
160graisins
3gsalt
120mlsoy or other nondairy milkplain or vanilla
300ggranulated sugar200 g for batter + 100 g for topping
20mlpure vanilla extract15 ml + 5 ml
112gwalnut halvesbroken
112gpecan halvesbroken
160gdried apricotsquartered
Instructies
Combine all dried fruits and nuts in a large bowl.
Pour the brandy over the fruit and nut mixture and stir to coat evenly.
Cover the bowl and let the mixture soak overnight.
Reserve 2 cups of the soaked fruit and nut mixture for the topping.
Preheat the oven to 190°C.
Spray 6 mini loaf tins with nonstick cooking spray.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and cinnamon in a bowl.
Whisk the yogurt, pineapple juice, 200 g sugar, 15 ml vanilla, almond extract, and nondairy milk in a separate bowl.
Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
Fold the remaining soaked fruit and nut mixture into the batter.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared mini loaf tins.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Combine the reserved fruit and nut mixture, nondairy butter, remaining 100 g sugar, and 5 ml vanilla in a saucepan.
Heat the topping over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar and butter have melted and the mixture is glossy.
Remove the topping from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Let the baked cakes cool completely in their tins.
Spoon the warm topping evenly over each cooled mini fruitcake.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
h3>Serving Tip:
Wrap the cooled mini fruitcakes in parchment and decorative paper, then store them in an airtight container for a few days to let the brandy and spices fully develop their flavor.
Wine Pairing:
Pairs well with a rich, sweet dessert wine like a Vintage Port.