Baking Beyond Borders!
It's that time of year – twinkling lights, festive bells, and the irresistible scent of Christmas cakes! You know, the ones with the perfect mix of fruity goodness and a hint of rum-induced holiday cheer. But wait, what if we could whip up that same joy with a dash of healthy vibes?
Enter the world of our Healthier Christmas Cake! Think of all the festive flavour, minus the guilt. We're on a mission to sprinkle in the magic of spices, the goodness of chocolate, and the cheer of dried fruits – all while keeping that happy, Christmassy vibe. Get ready for a journey that feels like unwrapping presents on Christmas morning, but with a healthy, cake-filled twist! Let's dive into guilt-free indulgence, where every bite is a festive celebration.
Origin of Christmas Cake
Back in 1883, when India was still under British rule, a gentleman named Mambally Bapu, who was a native of Thalassery, Kerala and known for his famous bakery offering over 40 types of biscuits, received a unique request. Murdoch Brown, a British plantation owner from Anjarakandy (another small town in Kerala), approached Mambally with a delicious plum cake from England just before Christmas. Brown asked Mambally to recreate the cake's flavours. Legend has it that this encounter marked the beginning of something special.
Mambally embraced the task, receiving a brief lesson from Murdoch. Armed with various ingredients like dates, raisins, French Brandy from Mahe, and cocoa powder, Mambally set out to understand and recreate the cake. However, Mambally wasn't just following the usual recipe; he had his own unique idea for this Christmas cake. He sought out a mold from Dharmadam, carefully selected spices from farms along the Malabar coast, and went off the beaten path by using a local mix made from cashew apples instead of brandy. To give it a personal twist, he added kadalipazham bananas to the mix.
The outcome: an exclusive plum cake crafted solely from indigenous ingredients.
Upon tasting it, Mr. Brown was delighted with the outcome, and promptly placed an order for a dozen more.
The traditional christmas cakes you should never miss
- Allahabadi cake - This Christmas Cake is made using ‘petha’ or candied ash gourd in marmalade with the goodness of ghee.
- Indian honey cake - The traditional Indian treat with spices, flavoured with nuts and honey.
- Kuthiravalli cake - is made using traditional millet flour, imparting a distinctive taste and a remarkably soft, fluffy texture while ensuring a higher nutritional content.
- South indian coconut cake - A thick slice of super soft, light and fluffy coconut cake which is full of grated coconut, coconut milk, coconut cream delivers a nutritious and delicious treat..
- Kerala plum cake - is made with nuts and raisins that have been soaked in rum for over three months, imparting a delicious and yummy flavour to the cake.
Plum Cake with a Healthier Twist
- Start the process 2 months ahead.
- Gather the necessary ingredients to prepare the healthy plum cake. Choose fruits and nuts and cut them into small pieces.
- Cut and soak the fruits and nuts (Dark raisins, gold raisins (seedless variety), dried peaches, apricots, figs, prunes, candied cherries, candied ginger, candied orange, papaya, tutti-frutti, almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts, pecans) 1 month before the Christmas, soaking them in orange juice or apple juice.
- Prepare the caramel 1 week before baking.
- On the day of baking, have all the ingredients ready, including egg, jaggery, spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, clove powder, wheat flour mix, sooji, semolina, butter, baking powder, extracts like vanilla & almond.
- Use the appropriate baking tin, spatula, mixer, and preheat the oven. Transfer the mixed dough to the baking tin and bake at 250°C in the preheated oven.
- Allow it to cool and enjoy your delicious cake.
Key Takeaway
- Crafting a healthier version of the classic Christmas cake requires some careful alterations without compromising on its festive flavours. Embracing a few changes can lead to a guilt-free indulgence while keeping the traditional essence intact.
- Keep ready with the ingredient’s month ahead and for healthier choice soak the fruits and nuts in orange or apple juice and use jaggery instead of white sugar.
- Enjoy your delicious cake without causing any discomfort to your stomach.
For further guidance to make this Christmas healthier, Book Your FREE CONSULTATION With Our Expert Dr! or WhatsApp us on +91 9500775666 to schedule your consultation right away!
