Dundee cake is a classic Scottish fruitcake that is famous for its rich, crumbly texture and delicious flavor. It is a popular dessert during Christmas and other special occasions in Scotland and around the world. This cake is named after the Scottish city of Dundee and is believed to have originated in the late 1700s. In this article, we will explore the history and ingredients of Dundee cake and provide a simple recipe for you to try at home.
History of Dundee Cake:
The origin of Dundee cake is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have been developed by the Keiller family in the late 1700s. The Keillers were a Scottish family who had a successful business making marmalade. They began to incorporate the Seville oranges used in their marmalade into a fruitcake recipe, which eventually led to the creation of the Dundee cake.
The cake gained popularity in the 19th century when it was served to Queen Victoria during her visit to Scotland. It quickly became a favorite of the queen and was regularly served at royal events. Since then, Dundee cake has become a staple dessert in Scotland and around the world.
Ingredients of Dundee Cake:
Dundee cake is a fruitcake that is made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and almonds. The cake is also packed with raisins, sultanas, and candied peel, giving it a deliciously fruity flavor.
One of the key ingredients in Dundee cake is the use of ground almonds, which gives the cake its rich, crumbly texture. Traditionally, the cake is decorated with concentric circles of almonds on top, which creates a beautiful and distinctive pattern.
Recipe for Dundee Cake:
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g caster sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 225g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 100g ground almonds
- 100g sultanas
- 100g raisins
- 100g candied peel
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tbsp milk
- Whole blanched almonds for decoration
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2. Grease and line an 8-inch cake tin with baking parchment.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold in gently until fully combined.
- Stir in the ground almonds, sultanas, raisins, candied peel, lemon zest, orange zest, and milk.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Decorate the top of the cake with concentric circles of whole-blanched almonds.
- Bake the cake for 2-2.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Conclusion:
Dundee cake is a classic Scottish fruitcake that has been enjoyed for centuries. Its rich, crumbly texture and delicious fruity flavor make it a popular dessert for special occasions in Scotland and around the world. With this simple recipe, you can enjoy the taste of Dundee cake in the comfort of your own home. Try it out and impress your family and friends with this classic Scottish dessert.
