In another bowl add in the date puree, jaggery powder, milk, vinegar, oil, orange zest.
Beat well with the electric or handheld whisk until creamy.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients in batches.
Whisk until it forms a thick batter.
You can use a spatula to fold the batter well.
Add in the drained dried fruits and nuts.
Gently fold them in until combined.
Top it with some dried fruits and nuts if desired.
Bake in a pre-heated oven for 60-70 minutes in an 8” pan or 50-60 minutes in a 9” pan.
Or until a knife inserted deep in the center comes out clean without any sticky batter.
Once done, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Then loosen up the sides and carefully invert it on a dish. And again invert it right side up on a cooling rack.
Let it cool completely before cutting.
Video
Notes
How to make date puree?
Soak 12 pitted dates, preferably Medjool dates in ½ cup very hot water for 1 hour and then blend it until smooth. No need to sieve it. It makes approx. ⅓rd cup plus 2 tablespoons very thick puree.
Important tips to make the best eggless fruit cake
Make sure to soak the dried fruits in some juice and not plain water. I have used freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice. Store-bought unsweetened juice works too.
Because of the flours used, the batter is thicker than the usual cake batter. So, do not be tempted to add more liquid.
The flavor of the cake deepens the second day. So, plan ahead.
Please do not skip the starch – arrowroot. It binds this cake without eggs without adding any flaxseed meal or yogurt. You can swap it with given substitutes.
Possible additions and substitutes.
To soak the dried fruits, you can use grape, cranberry, or apple juice instead of orange.
Arrowroot is a better choice than cornstarch or potato starch. But can be used interchangeably. Use only 2 tablespoon of cornstarch or potato starch instead.
Use nuts of your choice.
You may add dried ginger pieces, chopped apples, sultanas to the cake. Just do not exceed 1.5 cups of dried fruits.
Swap jaggery with coconut sugar or sugar in raw for a better choice over white sugar.
Use any flavorless oil instead of avocado oil. You may use melted coconut oil too.
If unavailable, swap oat flour with almond flour and vice versa.
Swap Chai Spice with ½ teaspoon dried ginger powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon cardamom powder.
What pan size to use?
Make this cake in one 8” * 3” round pan or one 9 “round pan.
Best way to store fruit cake
Fruit cake keeps well at room temperature for 3-4 days.
It will stay fresh in the fridge, for up to a week.
For extended shelf life, freeze individual pieces wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. Then place them in an airtight container.
I prefer warming up the slice for 15-20 seconds before eating. It tastes like it is fresh out of the oven.