Chock Full Of Fruit Snackin Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
• Set aside 1/4 cup each of the apricots and raisins and dice; reserve for later. Put the remaining apricots and raisins in a medium bowl and cover with very hot water, then let soak until the fruit is very soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and puree in a food processor along with the orange juice until very smooth.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the apricot-raisin puree and beat until incorporated and smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, vanilla and orange zest and beat until incorporated. Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and add half the flour mixture, then all of the sour cream and then the remaining flour mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed (it's ok if the batter has some lumps). Fold in the diced apricots and raisins.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden, the cake bounces back when pressed in the center and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack.
• For the frosting: Soak the chopped dates in very hot water until very soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the food processor. Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Add to the dates along with the heavy cream and cocoa powder. Process until light and smooth.
• Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the chocolate-date frosting over the top. Cut into squares and serve.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Yield: about 11-1/2 cups (about 5 batches)., To prepare banana cake: In a bowl, beat egg, milk and oil. Stir in 2-1/4 cups cake mix and banana; mix well. Fold in walnuts. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 6-8 servings. , To prepare applesauce cake: In a bowl, beat egg, applesauce and oil. Add cinnamon, allspice, cloves and 2-1/4 cups cake mix; mix well. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. Butter and flour baking pan, knocking out excess flour.
• Pour boiling-hot water over dried fruit in a small bowl and soak 20 minutes, then drain well in a sieve.
• Stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in another bowl.
• Beat together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and mix until just combined. Mix in dried fruit, almonds, and chocolate.
• Spread batter evenly in baking pan and bake until golden brown and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack. Run a thin knife around edges of pan to loosen blondie, then cut blondie into roughly 3-inch squares.