Dundee Cake

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak the Almonds

   5 min

   Start by placing almonds in a small bowl and pouring boiling water over them to cover completely. Allow the almonds to soak for about 5 minutes, then drain the water and spread them out on a clean kitchen towel to dry completely.

2. 2

   Preheat the Oven

   1 min

   Set your oven to preheat at 180°C (160°C for fan ovens) or Gas Mark 4. While the oven heats, take a deep, loose-based 20cm cake tin and line it with baking parchment to ensure easy removal later.

3. 3

   Cream Butter and Sugar

   8 min

   In a large mixing bowl, add butter at room temperature and beat it until it becomes soft and creamy. Gradually add muscovado sugar and continue to beat the mixture until it is light, fluffy, and well-combined. Mix in the orange zest and apricot jam until evenly integrated.

4. 4

   Combine Dry Ingredients

   7 min

   In a separate bowl, sift together plain flour and baking powder to ensure they are well mixed. Begin adding the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. If you notice the batter starting to curdle, it's helpful to add a spoonful of the flour mixture to stabilize it.

5. 5

   Incorporate Remaining Ingredients

   8 min

   Fold in the remaining flour along with ground almonds until the mixture is smooth. Gently stir in the milk and then add the dried fruit and glace cherries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

6. 6

   Prepare the Cake for Baking

   4 min

   Spoon the cake batter into the prepared tin, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the surface evenly. Place the whole almonds on top in a decorative pattern, pressing them in slightly to secure them in place.

7. 7

   Bake the Cake

   ~2.5 hr

   Place the cake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. After this time, lower the oven temperature to 160°C (140°C for fan ovens) or Gas Mark 3, and continue to bake for another 60 to 80 minutes. To check if the cake is done, insert a skewer into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

8. 8

   Glaze the Cake

   5 min

   Once baked, carefully remove the cake from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine milk and caster sugar, heating gently until the sugar is fully dissolved. Brush this sweet mixture over the top of the cake, then pop it back in the oven for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to set the glaze.

9. 9

   Cool and Wrap the Cake

   Allow the cake to cool in the tin for a short while before gently removing it. Once cooled completely, wrap the cake in foil and allow it to rest for at least 2 days to develop its flavors, enhancing its taste before slicing and serving.