Fruit Cake - Vegan with NO Eggs

A heavy, fruity slightly spiced cake for all those vegans out there to enjoy. The perfect Christmas or celebration cake.

Preparation time: 20 - 30 minutes   Quantity: Serves 10   Cooking time: 2 & 1/2 hours or so

Ingredients

300g / 10 oz wholemeal flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon mixed spice
60g / 2 oz ground almonds
160 g / 6 oz dairy free margarine
160 g / 6 oz dark brown sugar
500 g / just over 1 lb. mixed dried fruit (i. - raisins, currants, sultanas, mixed peel, chopped figs, dates and prunes etc.)
120 g / 4 oz glace cherries (optional)
1 orange zest - zested or grated

150 ml / 1/4 pint soya, rice, almond etc. milk
75 ml / 3 fl oz vegetable oil
2 tablespoons malt vinegar
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Method

  • Sift the flour and spice twice, adding the wholemeal bits back in to the flour
  • Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs (like a crumble)
  • Stir in the almonds, sugar, dried fruits, cherries and zest
  • Meanwhile heat up half of the soya milk in a saucepan, till just simmering
  • Add the oil and vinegar to the wet mix
  • Whisk the bicarbonate of soda in to the other half of cold milk
  • Then mix both the wet mixes together
  • Beat the wet in to the dry mix to form a lumpy, stiff batter
  • Spoon in to a greased cake tin approx. 8 inch
  • Bake in a preheated oven gas 3 / 160*c / 325*f - for 2 to 2&1/4 hours or until cooked
  • Cool slightly in the tin before you turn out
  • For added depth soak in some of your favourite tipple