🍰 Apricot Nectar Cake: A Sweet Delight! 🍑
📜 History:
The Apricot Nectar Cake is a delightful dessert with a history that can be traced back to the mid-20th century. This cake gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, often featured in advertisements and recipe books. It was particularly cherished for its simplicity and the unique use of apricot nectar.
🧁 Components:
- Apricot Nectar: The star ingredient! Apricot nectar is a sweet and tangy fruit juice made from ripe apricots.
- Cake Flour: Used to make the cake light and tender.
- Sugar: Provides sweetness and moisture to the cake.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- Eggs: For structure and moisture.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent for a rise.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: For dusting the finished cake.
- Optional Garnishes: Fresh apricot slices or whipped cream.
👩🍳 Steps to Prepare:
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Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of cake flour, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
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Add Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine 1 cup of apricot nectar, 1 cup of softened butter, 4 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
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Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry mixture, stirring until well combined.
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Garnish and Serve: Once cooled, you can dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar and garnish with fresh apricot slices or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
⏰ Preparation Time:
The preparation time for Apricot Nectar Cake typically takes about 15-20 minutes, excluding the baking and cooling time. Baking and cooling the cake will add another hour or so. So, in total, you can expect to spend around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes from start to finish.
Enjoy your Apricot Nectar Cake! 🍰🍑 It’s a sweet, nostalgic treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
📊 Nutrition Facts for Apricot Nectar Cake:
Please note that the following nutritional information is approximate and can vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes:
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Serving Size: 1 slice (assuming the cake is cut into 12 equal slices)
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Calories: Approximately 275 calories per slice
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Total Fat: About 12 grams per slice
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 7 grams per slice
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Cholesterol: Around 80 milligrams per slice
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Sodium: Roughly 120 milligrams per slice
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Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 37 grams per slice
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Dietary Fiber: About 0.5 grams per slice
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Sugars: Around 24 grams per slice
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Protein: Approximately 3 grams per slice
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Vitamin A: Provides a small amount of Vitamin A from the apricot nectar.
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Calcium: A small amount, generally less than 2% of the daily recommended intake.
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Iron: Also provides a small amount of iron, typically less than 4% of the daily recommended intake.
🩺 Health Information:
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Moderation: Apricot Nectar Cake is a delightful treat but should be enjoyed in moderation due to its relatively high sugar and fat content.
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Vitamins: While it may not be a significant source of vitamins and minerals, the apricot nectar does provide a small amount of Vitamin A.
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Sugars: Be mindful of the sugar content, especially if you’re watching your sugar intake.
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Portion Control: It’s important to pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overindulging in calories and fats.
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Balanced Diet: As with all desserts, it’s best to incorporate them into a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Remember that enjoying a piece of Apricot Nectar Cake as an occasional treat can be a delightful part of a balanced lifestyle.
