Kindness Cake Recipe
Overview:
From the November 2002 issue of Canadian Living Magazine comes a delightful creation known as the Kindness Cake. This recipe holds a special significance, as it was developed in honor of the United Nations International Decade for the Culture of Peace. Monica Mueller of Burnaby, BC, initiated a program to provide cakes for conferences and cultural events focusing on kindness development. The Kindness Cake embodies the essence of various cultures, featuring traditional ingredients such as almonds, dates, and cranberries. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a symbol of goodwill and unity.
Recipe Information:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 slices
- Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, Fruit, Nuts, Canadian, Kid Friendly, Kosher, Potluck, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Weeknight, Oven, Easy
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Butter |
| 1 1/2 | White sugar |
| 3 | Eggs |
| 1 | Orange (for zest) |
| 3 cups | All-purpose flour |
| 1 1/2 tsp | Baking soda |
| 1 1/2 tsp | Baking powder |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| 1 1/2 cup | Buttermilk |
| 1 1/4 cup | Pitted dates |
| 1 cup | Cranberries |
| 1 cup | Almonds |
| 1 | Butter (for icing) |
| 2 cups | Icing sugar |
| 1/4 cup | Orange juice (freshly squeezed) |
Instructions:
-
Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two 8×4-inch loaf pans with parchment paper and set them aside.
-
-
Cream butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter with the white sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and creamy.
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Incorporate eggs: Add the eggs, one at a time, into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the orange zest.
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Combine dry ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
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Alternate mixing: Stir the dry mixture into the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated.
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Add fruits and nuts: Gently fold in the pitted dates, cranberries, and almonds into the batter until just combined.
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Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Bake in the center of the preheated oven for approximately 75 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and transfer them to cooling racks. Allow them to cool completely.
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Optional freezing: If desired, you can wrap the cakes in heavy-duty foil and freeze them for up to one month.
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Prepare icing: To make the icing, beat the butter with 1/4 cup of the icing sugar. Then, beat in the freshly squeezed orange juice. Gradually beat in the remaining icing sugar until the icing is smooth and creamy.
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Ice the cakes: Spread the prepared icing over the tops of both cakes evenly.
Serving Suggestions:
Slice and serve this Kindness Cake as a heartwarming treat at any gathering or cultural event. Share a slice with a friend or loved one to spread the spirit of kindness and unity.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 298.9 per serving
- Fat Content: 12.6g
- Saturated Fat Content: 6g
- Cholesterol Content: 49.9mg
- Sodium Content: 241mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 43.9g
- Fiber Content: 2g
- Sugar Content: 29.5g
- Protein Content: 4.5g
Notes:
- This recipe yields 24 slices, making it perfect for sharing at potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a thoughtful gift on World Kindness Day (November 13th).
- Feel free to customize the fruits and nuts according to your preference or cultural significance.
- For a dairy-free option, you can substitute plant-based butter and non-dairy milk for the butter and buttermilk, respectively.
- Get creative with the icing by adding a hint of vanilla extract or lemon zest for extra flavor.
- Remember to store any leftover cake in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. Enjoy the warmth and sweetness of this Kindness Cake with every bite!
