How to Bake a Vegan Christmas Cake

Baking a vegan Christmas cake is a delicious and compassionate way to celebrate the holiday season. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bake a vegan Christmas cake:

Ingredients: - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder - 1/2 tsp baking soda - 1/2 tsp salt - 1 tsp cinnamon - 1/4 tsp nutmeg - 1/4 tsp allspice - 1/2 cup vegan margarine, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (such as almond milk) - 1/2 cup raisins - 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) - 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit (such as apricots, cherries, or cranberries)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

3. In a large bowl, beat the vegan margarine with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

4. Add the applesauce and vanilla extract to the large bowl and mix until well combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the large bowl, alternating with the non-dairy milk, and mix until just combined.

6. Fold in the raisins, chopped nuts, and chopped dried fruit.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Once the cake is completely cool, you can decorate it with your favorite vegan frosting or icing. Enjoy your delicious vegan Christmas cake!

Tips: - You can use any combination of dried fruits and nuts that you like in this recipe. - If you want a boozy twist, you can soak the dried fruit in rum or brandy overnight before using them in the recipe. - If you don't have unsweetened applesauce, you can use mashed banana or pumpkin puree instead. - Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting the recipe for the best results.