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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency fruitcake

11 months ago

I baked the fruitcake from these novels that was often offered to guests by orphan farm director, Mma Potokwane - photos below. The recipe is here from McCall Smith's Facebook page. The cake is delicious but it was very dry due to the long baking time of 1 hour, 15 minutes. I plan to make it again and will bake it likely for 35 to 40 minutes, testing when it gets close to that time. DH and I found the cake tasty enough that although dry, it was delicious with a cup of tea.

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PRO

HU-127064464

11 months ago

last modified: 11 months ago

Ain't international cooperation great?

Canajun, Brit, Merican & Aussie!

Don't that make/take the cake?

o j

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Comments (9)

lucillle
11 months ago
The Persuasive cake looks wonderful, and how fun that it was mentioned in novels. Thank you for the recipe. What did you end up using for 'corn flour'?
stacey_mb thanked lucillle
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 months ago
Did the recipe give a cake tin size? Normally a fruit cake would be much deeper and smaller diameter. Or made in a loaf tin. That would account for the longer baking time.
stacey_mb thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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nicole
11 months ago
Looks good! I saved it.
stacey_mb thanked nicole
stacey_mb
Original Author
11 months ago
I'm very pleased at the way the cake turned out. I used cornstarch for the corn flour, and it appears to have been the correct choice, because it contributed to the fine texture of the cake. The recipe specifies a 10" cake tin which I assumed meant the tin's diameter. However, now I'm speculating what the cake is really supposed to look like and wonder if it's ever been shown in the TV series.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
I am surprised it specified such a large diameter cake tin. Fruit cakes are not usually shallow like that. More like 3 or 4" deep, or made in a loaf tin. And yes, US corn starch is correct for British, or British influenced, cornflour.
stacey_mb thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
colleenoz
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
I had the same thought as Floral. Usually a fruit cake ends up about 4" high. I don't do Facebook, so I can't see the recipe. Could you please post it here?
stacey_mb thanked colleenoz
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 months ago
The other thing is that the recipe says to test with a skewer. That's a more reliable way of knowing than just sticking to the time in the recipe. Ovens vary. I'd start testing well before the stated time. I don't do Facebook either but the recipe is visible without an account. I googled for it.

https://share.google/kr4YNANgJPCVyVXX3
stacey_mb thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
stacey_mb
Original Author
11 months ago
Thank you for posting a link to the recipe, Floral. The loaf pans that I'm familiar with are less than 10", although I found one online. Now I will have to watch the series just to see if the cake is shown there! lol!

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