To begin making the Kerala Style Christmas Plum Cake Recipe first line a 9″ tin with grease proof paper and set it aside for later use

Soak the dry fruits (raisins, dry cherries, cashew, almond, tutti frutti, dry figs, soaked in rum or the juice of 3 oranges, preferably for a month, if not a day in advance, at least)Drain the soaked dry fruits, next and retain the soaked rum in a bottle for later use

Place the soaked dry fruits and the juice of an orange in a sauce pan

Cover it, place it over a medium heat and allow it to cook until the juice is absorbed

If you are making a non-alcoholic version, soak the dry fruits in the juice of 3 oranges overnight or for a couple of hours at least

When baking the cake, cook them in the same juice until all the juices are absorbed

If for some reason you have not pre-soaked the fruit, you can also soak and cook them instantly in 50-50 mix of rum and orange juice to get the intensity of flavour in a shorter time

For best results, pre-soaking the fruit is recommended

Next, spread the cooked dry fruits on a plate and let it cool completely

At this stage, preheat the oven to 180 C

In a large mixing bowl, sieve together the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and all the spice powders

Add the soaked, cooked mixed fruits in the flour and mix well so that the fruit is completely coated

Keep this aside

Tossing fruits in flour is to avoid fruits falling to the bottom of the cake during baking time

It will ensure that the cake remains studded with fruit, right through

Cream together the butter, ghee, egg yolks and the castor sugar until it is light and fluffy

Add flour-fruits to the butter mixture, alternating with milk

Ensure that you begin and end with additions of the fruit mixture

Stir well with spatula to blend uniformly

Next, beat the egg whites till they are stiff peaks

Add 4 tablespoons sugar and lime juice and beat again

Now, fold in the egg whites to the cake mixture

Add the caramel and orange candied peel and mix it using a spatula

Pour plum cake batter into prepared pan

Smoothen it well (If you like an uneven top, save a small handful of floured dry fruits and sprinkle it on top or arrange some blanched and peeled almonds in a pattern or you can sprinkle some dried cherries on top )Place the plum cake in the preheated oven and bake for about 90 - 105 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

Check for doneness after 60 minutes, as the cooking time will vary from one oven to another

When cooked through, remove the tin from the oven and let it sit in the cake tin to cool slightly

When the cake is still warm pour 1/8th cup rum or brandy over the cake and remove from the tin and cool it over a cooling rack

Serve it at Christmas or slice and store away for a tea time treat

Once the cake has cooled completely, sprinkle some more alcohol over it and cover it tightly with clingfilm

Then wrap it in aluminium foil or brown paper and store it in a dark cool place

Sprinkle some alcohol over the Kerala Style Plum Cake once in 4 days or a week, as this really deepens the flavours

If you do not want to keep it out, you can also refrigerate it, and remember to thaw it a day before Christmas or when you are serving it

The Kerala Style Plum cake keeps refrigerated for at least 3 months