California Fig Spice Cake

Directions

For the California Fig Garnish

1. Remove stems and cut the California Dried Figs in half.

2. Bring the dark rum to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract.

3. Add the halved California Dried Figs to the warmed rum. Submerge the halves and allow to soak for at least 30 minutes before using.

4. Remove the California Figs from the rum and place on an absorbent paper towel before adding the garnish to the cake.

For the California Fig Spice Cake

1. Preheat a convection oven to 350°F.

2. Combine the all purpose flour, whole rye flour, Lebkuchen spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl.  Whisk to combine them, making sure to achieve a uniform consistency.

3. Combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, eggs, California Dried Figs Juice Concentrate, vanilla extract, and salt in a separate large bowl. Using the same whisk, stir until a smooth paste is achieved.

4. Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a spatula until almost all of the lumps are gone.

5. Add the remainder of the dry ingredients and the California Dried Figs Diced. Keep folding until a completely smooth consistency is achieved.

6. Place cake molds on a sheet pan, 2 to 3 molds per half sheet pan. Fill each of the cake molds with 700 grams of batter.

7. Place 8 of the rum-soaked halved California Dried Figs on top of each cake in a circular pattern, making sure that the seed portion is pointing upward.

8. Bake for 40 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

9. Glaze while still hot.

For the California Fig Glaze

1. Combine the powdered sugar, honey, California Dried Figs Juice Concentrate, vanilla bean, and 35 grams of the milk in a bowl. Stir using a paddle until a smooth consistency is achieved.

2. Stir in the remainder of the milk.

3. Pour over hot cakes to glaze, about 75 grams per cake.

For the Lebkuchen Spice Blend

Developer Notes

1. 6.5-inch x 2-inch round paper molds were used, Novacart model number M 170/55 TALL Baking Mold

2. If not used immediately, glaze can be covered with plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator overnight.

3. Lebkuchen Spice recipe yields more than needed for this recipe. It can be halved to make less and it is also often available for purchase online during the holidays from most German import companies.