Zelten

Name: Zelten
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup dried figs, chopped; 1/2 cup raisins; 1/2 cup walnut halves, chopped; 1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped; 1/4 cup pine nuts; 3 tbsp dark rum; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs, beaten; 1.5 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp lemon zest, grated

A traditional Italian holiday fruitcake packed with dried figs, raisins, and toasted nuts scented with citrus zest and rum. Rich and dense, it is typically enjoyed during the winter festive season.

75 minMediumServes 8380 cal/serving

ItalianDessertOvenVegetarianKosher-styleSoy-FreeShellfish-FreePork-FreeLow-SodiumNightshade-Free

Ingredients

1 cup dried figs, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnut halves, chopped
1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts
3 tbsp dark rum
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp lemon zest, grated

Instructions

1

Soak 1 cup chopped dried figs, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup chopped walnut halves, 1/2 cup chopped raw almonds, and 1/4 cup pine nuts in 3 tbsp dark rum for at least 30 minutes.
2

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a round 9-inch baking dish.
3

Beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in 2 beaten eggs and 1 tsp grated lemon zest.
4

Stir in 1.5 cups all-purpose flour and 1.5 tsp baking powder until a thick dough forms.
5

Fold the soaked fruit and nut mixture into the dough along with any remaining liquid.
6

Press dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes until golden brown and firm.

Questions

Can I make Zelten dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Zelten gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1.5 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Zelten keep?

Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double Zelten?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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