The best Moist and Chocolatey Eggless Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake Recipe loaded with nuts dried fruits made with Whole Wheat Flour, without any alcohol/liquor is perfect for Christmas and also to celebrate any special occasions.
Fruity Nutty Chocolatey and Cakey with a beautiful crumb that's how I will describe this juicy, rich and moist cake. Even though the cake is without eggs and the dried fruits are soaked on the day of baking, it is still a rich fruit cake that will be perfect addition to your Holiday dessert menu.
Christmas incomplete without the Special Christmas Cake and this is a double treat for all chocolate lovers. The rich and delicious chocolate cake is made with soaked dried fruits and nuts and bits of dark chocolate chunks. A crowd pleaser treat for chocolate and nut lovers.
- About the Recipe
- Reasons to bake this best Eggless Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
- Can I make this cake months before Christmas
- Dried Fruits and Nuts in this Christmas Special Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
- How to make Fruit Mix for the Christmas Cake
- Ingredients to make the Best Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
- How to make Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
- Storage and Self Life
- Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake(Christmas Special)
About the Recipe
This delicious Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake is the chocolate version of the the Christmas special Fruit Cake and is made without eggs and whole wheat flour. If you follow an egg free diet due to religious reasons or allergy issues, this Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake is just the perfect cake for you to celebrate the Holiday or any festivities!!
In traditonal fruit cake recipes, the dried candied fruits are soaked in liquor 2-3 months before Christmas. For non alcoholic version the fruits are soaked in fruit juice(apple, orange, cranberry etc.) or even green tea. But if you are like me who forgets to soak the fruits months before baking and end up doing things (many times not always!!) at the last moment, then this is a perfect recipe for you.
You can soak the fruits one or two days or even 3-4 hrs before baking. The dried fruits are boiled for few minutes in fruit juice and the mixture is cooled down before adding to cake batter.
Many people soak the nuts also with the fruits but I have folded the nuts along with the flour. This retains the crunchiness of nuts.
The dried fruits used in the recipe are easily accessible and available at all the grocery stores.
Reasons to bake this best Eggless Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
Rich, Moist Buttery and Chocolaty
Made with Whole Wheat Flour
Eggless (for those who avoid eggs in diet)
Fruit Soak made at home.
Perfect festive dessert loaded with nuts fruits and chocolate bits!!
Can I make this cake months before Christmas
The liquor/alcohol in fruit cake act as preservative and prevent the cake from getting spoiled. Since in this cake the dried fruits are soaked in orange juice so you can't bake it months before Christmas. You can bake it 1 week-10days ahead and then refrigerate it covered in a food friendly cling film. The fruit cake matures as it is stored. The flavour of this cake is also enhanced if you keep it for 1-2 days after baking and then serve it.
You can use liquor(rum/vodka) to soak the fruits instead of orange juice. Since I bake it for my kids so I use orange juice. When I was in baking business, I used rum/vodka to soak fruits as many clients used to order for boozy Christmas cake!! I will soon post the Traditonal Plum Cake (with liqiour).
If you are not making it for kids, then you can even feed this fruit cake with rum 2-3 days before serving it. Simply brush the cake with rum. Though this is not the same as the cake made with alcohol, but it is much loved loved with those who want non alcoholic version.
Another Non-alcoholic Fruit Cake that you will love to bake for Christmas and occasions
Looking for a Gluten-free Dairy-free Light Fruit cake without eggs
Classic Tutti Fruitti Cake baked with Whole Wheat Flour and and without eggs
Dried Fruits and Nuts in this Christmas Special Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
Dried Fruits Used in the Recipe
Use whatever dried fruits are available.
I have used (dried) Prunes, Figs, Dates, Apricots, Mango, mixed berries(strawberries, blueberries, blak currants, cranberries), tutti fruitti, raisins(golden and black).
Homemade Candied Orange peels add a more citrus flavour to the cake. Lemon peels, candid ginger can also be added in the fruit mix.
Checkout how to make Candied Orange Peels at home
You can also add dried Pineapple, Kiwis, and other fruits.
Mixed Nuts used in the recipe
The nuts add crunch and richness and volume to fruit cakes. Almonds, Cashew Nuts, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Macadamia Nuts. Add whatever the nuts are available to to you. For those will specific nut allergy, skip the nuts and add some seeds instead.
Dried Fruits 
How to make Fruit Mix for the Christmas Cake
Since we are not using any spirit in the cake the fruit need to be soaked in hot syrup to absorb the liquid in short time.
For this we boil the orange cake with a dash of lemon juice. You can also add water. I had left over simple syrup after making Candied Orange Peel, I also added some of it to the orange juice.
To boil orange juice, tale orange juice and lemon juice in a pan. Add water to it and let it boil. Then add finely chopped dried fruits. Let it boil for 1-2 mins. and then switch off the gas.
Transfer the fruit mix to another pan and let it cool completely.
Ingredients to make the Best Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
Fruit Mix and Nuts - refer the above section for the same.
Orange Juice - to soak the dried fruit mix.
Whole Wheat Flour(WWF)- I have stopped using All Purpose Four(APF)/Maida in baking/cooking especially when I do it for kids. Whole Wheat Four is a much healthier flour than the APF.
Use the same Whole Wheat Flour(any brand) that we use in making Chapatis like Ashirwaad, Pillsbury(for Indian Readers). Bob Red Mill Flour is also good to use which is available in US stores. Do not use the Whole Wheat Flour that has lot of bran.
You can use APF also in the recipe, use less liquid as APF absorbs less liquid than WWF.
Cocoa Powder- Use unsweetened cocoa powder.
Sweetener- I have used brown sugar in the recipe. You can use any good organic raw sugar(jaggery powder, coconut sugar, raw cane sugar).
Fat- Added melted butter. You can add EVVO or plain olive oil or in fact any plant based oil is good to use.
Spices- I have kept the flavours simple in this cake with using only Vanilla Essence. You can use the spices which are traditionally used in Fruit cakes.
To add spices in your cake take-1/4 tsp Nutmeg, 1/4 cinnamon powder, 1/2 ginger powder.
Chai masala or Garam Masala also goes well with the flavour of the cake.
Checkout this Chai Spiced Whole Wheat Apple Cake and Chocolate Garam Masala Cookies
Leavening Agents- Baking Soda and Baking Powder to make the cake soft and fluffy.
Egg Replacers- Yogurt, Chia Gel(Chia seeds + Milk)
Milk Powder, Yogurt makes the cakes with Whole Wheat Flour light and less dense.
Chopped Dark Chocolate (optional) for the chocolate lovers.
I also like to add Mixed Fruit Jam/Orange Marmalade. It is optional and adds a nice fruity flavour to the cake. Try adding it and see the difference. In this recipe I have used Mixed Fruit Jam.
How to make Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake
Detailed stepwise method in the recipe card and the video attached
Storage and Self Life
As the fruits are soaked in orange juice the cake won't last for months. You can make it 1 week- 10 days ahead of the Christmas or occasion. Refrigerate the cake nicely packed in cling film in an air tight container.
On the counter at room temperature finish the cake within 4-5 days.
Fruit soak stays good in refrigerator for 4-5 days. Keep it in an air tight container.
More Cake recipes from the blog that you will love to try
Eggless Cakes-
Fudgy Almond Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Truffle Cake, Eggless Vanilla Cake, Eggless Strawberry Cake, Semolina and Orange Tea Cake
Cakes with Eggs
Upside Down Pineapple Cake, Whole Wheat Choco Chip Cake,
More Recipes for Christmas Party
Star Bread for Christmas, Garlic Knots, Cranberry and Walnut Pilaf, Eggless Bread Pudding, Cajun Potatoes and many more..
Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake(Christmas Special)
Equipment
- Mixing Pan
- Pan to heat orange juice
- Mixing Spoon
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Loaf Pan
Ingredients
For Dry Fruit Mix
- ¼ Cup Tutti Fruiti
- ¼ Cup Dried Mixed Berries Strawberries, Blue berries, Cranberries, Black Berries, Goji Berries
- ¼ Cup Mixed Raisins(Golden/Brown)
- 5-6 Dried Apricots
- 1-2 Dried Mango Slices
- 7-8 Dried Frigs
- 7-8 Dried Dates(Seedless)
- 5-6 Prunes
- 2 tbsp Candied Orange Peel
- 1 Cup Orange Juice
Nuts Mix
- 2 tbsp Cashew Nuts
- 2 tbsp Almonds
- 2 tbsp Walnuts
- 2 tbsp Hazelnuts
For Cake Batter
Dry Ingredients
- 1¼ Cup Whole Wheat Flour
- ¼ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 2 tbsp Milk Powder
- ½-¾ Cup Brown Sugar Check Notes
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ¼ tsp Baking Soda
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Yogurt
- ½ Cup Melted Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
- ¼ Cup Chia Gel
- ½ Cup Milk use as required
For Chia Gel
- 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
- ¼ Cup Milk/Water
Others(optional)
- 2 tbsp Mixed Fruit Jam
- ¼ Cup Chopped Dark/Milk Chocolate
Spice Powder(if using)
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Dry Ginger
Instructions
Make Fruit Mix
- Roughly chopped the dried fruits (like apricots, prunes, figs, dates)
- In a pan heat orange juice, lemon juice and water.
- Add chopped fruit mix.
- Let it cook for 2-3 mins. till the liquid starts reducing.
- Take off the heat and keep it aside to cool.
- Cover the container and keep it for at least 2 hrs.
Prepare nuts
- Roughly chop the nuts.
- Dust lightly with flour and keep aside.
Prepare batter and cake
- Preheat oven at 350°C or 180°C.
- For OTG do it on the baking mode with both the rods and fan on. It will take about 10-15 mins to preheat depending on your oven size.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare Chia Gel.
- Mix Chia seeds in milk/water and keep aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, milk powder, baking powder, baking soda, ¼ tsp salt(if using oil/unsalted butter) and all the spice powders (if using).
- In another mixing bowl, add melted butter/oil with sugar and beat to a smooth mix.
- Add yogurt and vanilla essence and beat nicely till light and creamy.
- Add flour mix, dried nuts and soaked fruit mix.
- Keep aside 1-2 tbsp fruit mix and 1 tbsp nuts to garnish on the cake.
- Add Chia gel and mix.
- Lightly fold the mixture.
- Transfer batter the to prepared pan.
- Top with the soaked fruits and nuts.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 40-45 mins. or till the toothpick/skewer comes out clean. Please note baking time also depends on your oven and cake pan. It can be plus minus 5-10 mins.
- Once the cake is done, take out of the oven and keep on the counter.
- Insert a tooth pick in the center to check if cake is done. If it comes wet bake again for 10 mins more.
- If the cake seems to be very soft, then do not take out of the pan. Let it cool completely.
- Once the cake cools completely, carefully take out of the pan.
To store prior to cutting
- Carefully wrap the cake in a cling film or keep in an air tight container, and refrigerate.
- Stays good for 1 week -10 days.
Video
Notes
Christmas or any special occasion, make this soft and moist chocolate cake loaded with nuts and dried fruits. It is a double treat for chocolate lovers!! Every time I bake this cake I get so many compliments from my family and friends. My clients also loved this cake and used to order in advance for the Christmas parties.
Hope you will try the recipe and you and your loved ones will surely love it as much as my family loves it.
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Preeti Shridhar
The cake looks so delish. No kid will be able to resist it. I love that you have used whole wheat flour instead of All Purpose Flour, making it healthier
Swati
Thanks Preetiji!!
Radha
The cake looks moist and delicious! This is a perfect festive cake for the season!
Sujata Roy
Wow Swaty cake looks so soft moist and delicious. Full of dried fruits, nuts and flavoring agents this cake must be aromatic and mouthwatering. Fabulous share.