forkue
Dundee Cake

Scottish · Dessert · Medium

Dundee Cake

Total
4 hr 30 min
Prep
2 hr 30 min
Serves
16
Calories
370
Jump to recipe

Dried fruit, orange zest and almonds pack a buttery cake beneath neat rings of whole almonds. Thin slices show off its dense, tender crumb.

A low second stage of baking lets Dundee Cake cook through without scorching the fruit around its edge. Ground almonds soften the crumb, and the whole almonds on top toast as the cake rises around them.

Use a deep pan and weigh the dried fruit for a balanced batter. The center should be set with a few moist crumbs on a skewer, not wet batter; cover the top loosely if the almonds color before the middle is ready.

SweetRichBakingHolidayVegetarian

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the base and sides of a deep 8-inch round cake pan with parchment. Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then mix in the orange zest and apricot jam.

  2. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in the flour, baking powder and almond flour, then 2 tbsp milk, the mixed dried fruit and candied cherries.

  3. Spoon into the pan and smooth the surface. Arrange the blanched almonds in concentric circles without pushing them deeply into the batter. Bake for .

  4. Reduce the oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake for until a skewer in the middle has a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. Cover loosely with foil if the top is darkening.

  5. Stir the remaining milk and sugar together and brush over the hot cake. Bake for to set the glaze, then cool in the pan for before removing.

Forkue tips

  • Wrap the cooled cake and leave it until the next day if possible; the fruit moisture settles through the crumb and makes cleaner slices.

Storing and reheating

Wrap tightly and keep in a cool place for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw wrapped at room temperature and cut into thin slices.

Kitchen gear

Deep 8-inch cake panTop picks on AmazonElectric mixerTop picks on Amazon
Forkue may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

370Calories
7gProtein
54gCarbs
16gFat

Dundee Cake: FAQ

Can I leave out the candied cherries?

Yes. Replace them with the same weight of raisins or currants so the amount of fruit in the batter stays consistent.

Why is the center taking so long?

The dense fruit mixture heats slowly. Keep the lower oven temperature and shield the top rather than raising the heat.

How do I store and reheat Dundee Cake?

Wrap tightly and keep in a cool place for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw wrapped at room temperature and cut into thin slices.

How long does Dundee Cake take?

About 4 hr 30 min in total: 2 hr 30 min prep and 2 hr cooking.

What do I need to make Dundee Cake?

The key ingredients are unsalted butter, orange zest, apricot jam, all-purpose flour, baking powder and eggs, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Dundee Cake?

Wrap the cooled cake and leave it until the next day if possible; the fruit moisture settles through the crumb and makes cleaner slices.

Cook this next

More orangeMore apricot jamMore baking powderMore eggs