Step 1

Toss together all the dried fruits and nuts in a large bowl. Add apple juice, mix well and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2

Next morning, the fruits and nuts would have soaked some of the apple juice. Drain the juice (you can drink it later) and set the soaked fruits & nuts aside and start working on the cake.

Step 3

Pre-heat oven to 350 F degrees. Line a 9 x 2 inch cake pan with parchment paper and then spray with a non-stick spray. Set aside.

Step 4

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

Step 5

Add the spices - cinnamon powder, all spice powder, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. Mix to combine all the spices with the flour.

Step 6

Sift the flour once so that everything is well combined and set aside.

Step 7

In a bowl mix together 1.5 cups milk with 1.5 tablespoons white vinegar and set aside for 5-10 minutes. The milk will curdle and that's what we want before using in the recipe.

Step 8

Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or using your hand mixer, beat the oil with sugar on medium speed till well combined.

Step 9

Add vanilla extract, lemon extract, orange extract and whisk to combine.

Step 10

Add honey (if using) and whisk to combine.

Step 11

Start adding the flour mix and milk-vinegar mix in parts, starting and ending with the flour mix. So add the flour mix in 3 parts and the milk-vinegar mix in 2 parts, mixing well after each addition.

Step 12

Mix till everything is just combined and remember not to over-beat the mixture.

Step 13

Fold in the soaked & drained dried fruits & nuts.

Step 14

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake at 350 F degrees for 60-65 minutes, or till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. At around 30-35 minute mark, you can cover the cake with a sheet of aluminium foil to prevent excessive browning.

Step 15

Once done, remove the cake carefully from the oven. Wait for 5-10 minutes and then flip the cake on a wire rack.

Step 16

Peel the parchment paper and let the cake cool down completely.

Step 17

Dust the eggless fruit cake with powdered sugar and enjoy!