Washington Cake
User Reviews
5
Washington Cake
Description
Washington Cake blends a combination of dried fruits and spices into a butter- and egg-rich batter leavened with baking powder. Raisins and currants provide dense, chewy sweetness contrasting with the fragrant warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The addition of brandy moistens the cake and adds complexity to its flavor profile while the cream (or milk) softens the texture. Baking times vary depending on the pan type, with the loaf or springform results being more substantial and longer baked than smaller loaf pans.
The spice notes harmonize with the fruit and the cake’s tender crumb, offering a traditional cake experience that can be served plain or with a complementary beverage. This cake slices well and holds its shape, making it suitable for sharing at social occasions or holiday meals.
The recipe can be adapted by doubling the ingredients to fit larger pans or by adjusting the spices to create a spicier version that omits fruit and adjusts cinnamon and nutmeg quantities. Attention to ingredient temperatures and folding technique will help maintain a light texture despite the dense fruit additions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cake flour 7 ounces/200 grams, sifted, or 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks/8 ounces/225 grams, unsalted, softened (65 to 67°F
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar 9.25 ounces/265 grams, or 2/3 cup granulated sugar and 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 large egg ¾ cup/7 ounces/200 grams, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup heavy cream 2.125 ounces/60 grams, or milk
- 2 tablespoons brandy such as Port, or sweet wine
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or rosewater
- 1 1/2 cups raisins 8 ounces/225 grams, coarsely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups currants 8 ounces/225 grams, dried
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan, 9-inch springform pan, 9-inch (9-cup) tube or Bundt pan, or four 5- by 3-inch (2-cup) loaf pans, line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, and grease again.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter on low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium, gradually add the sugar, and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition. Total time for beating in the eggs is about 4 minutes.
- Add the cream, brandy, and vanilla.
- In 3 additions, fold in the flour mixture.
- Stir in the raisins and currants.
- Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1¼ hours for a large loaf pan or springform pan; 1 hour and 5 minutes for a tube pan; or 40 minutes for the small loaf pans.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove the cake to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 1½ hours. Wrap tightly in plastic, then foil. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Use a serrated knife to cut the cake into slices.
Notes
- This yield covers one standard loaf, round, or tube cake, or four small loaves; adjust baking time by pan size accordingly.
- For a larger cake, double the recipe and use a 10- by 4-inch Bundt or tube pan, baking about 1¼ hours.
- To create a spicier variation, omit the raisins, currants, and cloves, and increase nutmeg to 2 teaspoons and cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 451 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 451kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 65g | 22% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 109mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 132mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 404mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 34g | 68% |
| Vitamin A | 650IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 1.8mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 60mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1.6mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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