TOO Moist

Adding crystallized ginger, mixing the beaten aquafaba (magic!) into the dough. Like the vegan love cake, it took quite a bit longer to bake this rich cake than it would for the non-vegan version — 3 solid hours in a slow oven. That must be due to different moisture levels; the final cake was also more moist that my standard rich cake.

I wonder if using, say 1-2 fewer ripe bananas would make a significant difference there? On the other hand, it’s rare for someone to complain that their fruitcake is TOO moist. 🙂 So maybe just leave it as is.

Though if I do it again, I’m definitely going to wrap the edges in foil so they’re less likely to burn — over 3 hours needed to get the center cooked, the edges got a little overcooked. It might actually be better to do this in two square pans, instead of the large 9×12. (Or, sacrilege — two bundt pans?!)

Recipe here.

First Time Cooking with Vegan Butter

I promised you a vegan rich cake (fruitcake) recipe, and I finally have one ready. Walking you through some photos, then I’ll post the recipe. My first time cooking with vegan butter — it’s fine, but for cooking, I think I’m just as happy sticking with coconut oil.

Dough + ripe bananas, with aquafaba (chickpea water) beaten to accomplish the same thing egg whites would, giving airiness and lift to the batter and finished cake.

Feeling Orange-ish

In goes a quarter cup of brandy — or in this case, Cointreau. I guess I’m just feeling orange-ish this year. Sometimes we do sherry. It’s all good. Now it’s all mixed together, covered, and left to soak overnight.

Will bake after work tomorrow…

Using Whatever Fruit I Have

Some people have very precise recipes for what dried fruit they’re going to put in their rich cake. Me, it’s just 2 1/2 lbs. of whatever dried fruit I have around. This year, we have: papaya, fig, sultanas, cranberries, goji berries, pear. Fun. 🙂