🍰 Amalgamation Cake 🧁
Amalgamation cake is a delightful dessert that brings together a variety of flavors and ingredients into one harmonious creation. It’s a versatile cake that’s easy to prepare, making it a popular choice for home bakers. Let’s explore its history, components, preparation steps, and time needed to whip up this delicious treat! 🎂
📜 History:
The exact origin of amalgamation cake is a bit hazy, but it likely emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century. The term “amalgamation” refers to the act of combining diverse elements into a unified whole, and this cake epitomizes that concept by blending different flavors and textures.
🧁 Components:
Amalgamation cake typically comprises several components, including:
- Cake Mix: This forms the base of the cake and simplifies the baking process.
- Fruits: Common choices include diced apples, crushed pineapples, or even maraschino cherries for a burst of flavor and moisture.
- Nuts: Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts add a satisfying crunch.
- Coconut: Sweetened shredded coconut lends a tropical flair.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are often used for a warm, comforting aroma and flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese frosting is a favorite topping, adding a creamy contrast to the cake’s textures.
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 box of yellow or white cake mix
- 1 can of crushed pineapple (undrained)
- 1 can of diced apples (undrained)
- 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup of chopped nuts (e.g., pecans or walnuts)
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
- Cream cheese frosting
Steps:
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Preheat: Preheat your oven according to the cake mix instructions.
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Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, crushed pineapple (with its juice), diced apples (with their juice), shredded coconut, chopped nuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until well combined.
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Bake: Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Follow the baking time and temperature recommended on the cake mix box or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Frost: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top. You can decorate it with more nuts or coconut if desired.
🕒 Preparation Time:
The preparation time for amalgamation cake is relatively quick, typically taking around 10-15 minutes to mix the ingredients and about 25-35 minutes to bake, depending on the cake mix instructions. Allow additional time for cooling and frosting, making the total preparation time around 1-1.5 hours.
Enjoy your homemade amalgamation cake, a delectable fusion of flavors and textures that’s sure to delight your taste buds! 🎉🍰🍍🍎🥥🥜
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for an amalgamation cake:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate values per serving):
- Calories: 350-400 calories
- Total Fat: 15-20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6-8 grams
- Cholesterol: 25-35 milligrams
- Sodium: 250-350 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 50-60 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
- Sugars: 30-35 grams
- Protein: 4-5 grams
Health Information:
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Calories: Amalgamation cake is relatively calorie-dense due to the cake mix, sugar, and frosting. Moderation is key if you’re watching your calorie intake.
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Total Fat: The cake contains a moderate amount of fat, with some being saturated fat from the cream cheese frosting. Excessive saturated fat intake should be avoided for heart health.
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Cholesterol: Cream cheese frosting contributes to the cholesterol content. Those with cholesterol concerns should consume it in moderation.
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Sodium: The sodium content can vary based on the ingredients used, but it’s generally moderate. Be mindful of your overall daily sodium intake.
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Total Carbohydrates and Sugars: The cake is relatively high in carbohydrates and sugars, primarily from the cake mix and added sweeteners. People with diabetes or those watching their sugar intake should enjoy this dessert in moderation.
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Protein: While not a significant source of protein, it provides a small amount, mainly from nuts and the cake mix.
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Fiber: The cake may contain a modest amount of dietary fiber, primarily from ingredients like shredded coconut and fruits.
Remember that these values are approximate and can vary based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used. Additionally, the cake is a dessert, and like most desserts, it should be enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of a healthy diet.
