Sultana Cake (Scottish)
Recipe Overview:
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 Cake
- Calories per Serving: 243.6
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
- Reviews: 6
- Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, Grains, Fruit, Nuts, Scottish, European, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Christmas, < 60 Mins, Oven, Refrigerator, Easy, Inexpensive
Ingredients:
- 8 cups sultanas
- 4 cups butter
- 6 cups firm margarine
- 6 cups sugar
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 2 eggs
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon almond essence
Instructions:
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Prepare Sultanas: Start by covering the sultanas in water and letting them soak overnight. This will plump them up and enhance their flavor.
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Boil Sultanas: The next day, bring the water and sultanas to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Once boiled, strain off the water and set aside the sultanas.
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Mix with Butter: While the sultanas are still hot, mix in the butter or margarine. This step helps in melting the butter and blending it well with the sultanas.
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Add Sugar and Eggs: Once the butter is incorporated, add the sugar, beaten eggs, and almond essence to the mixture. Stir well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
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Sift in Flour: Sift in the self-raising flour and salt into the mixture. This helps to aerate the flour and avoid any lumps in the cake batter.
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Optional Nuts: If desired, add chopped nuts to the batter. This step adds texture and flavor to the cake. Mix well to distribute the nuts evenly.
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Prepare Baking Tin: Grease an 8″ round baking tin and line the bottom with greased, greaseproof paper or vegetable parchment. This prevents the cake from sticking to the tin.
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Pour Cake Mixture: Pour the prepared cake mixture into the greased baking tin, ensuring it’s spread evenly across the surface.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the cake in a moderate oven for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
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Reduce Heat: After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) and continue baking until the center of the cake is firm to the touch. This lower temperature ensures the cake cooks evenly without browning too quickly on the outside.
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Cool and Store: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for a few minutes. Then, carefully remove it from the tin and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store the cake in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
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Serve and Enjoy: Slice the Sultana Cake and serve it as a delightful treat for any occasion. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee, making it perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or simply as a sweet indulgence for yourself and loved ones.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 243.6
- Total Fat: 8.5g
- Saturated Fat: 5.1g
- Cholesterol: 43.9mg
- Sodium: 92.1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40.7g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
- Sugar: 25.4g
- Protein: 3.1g
Tips and Variations:
- Make Ahead: This Sultana Cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for several days. Simply bring it to room temperature before serving.
- Customize with Nuts: Feel free to customize the cake by adding your favorite nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve with Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve slices of Sultana Cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Gift Idea: Wrap slices of this delicious cake in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season or special occasions.
Indulge in the rich flavors of this traditional Scottish Sultana Cake, perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a cozy treat with a warm beverage. 🍰✨
