Chilean Christmas Fruitcake

A special Christmas dessert throughout Chile, this sweet cakelike bread is laced with nuts, spices and candied fruit. It is traditionally eaten while presents are opened on Christmas day. Argentines enjoy a similar Christmas bread called pan dulce.

1 cup mixed candied fruit
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 teaspoon orange zest
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon anise seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
5 large eggs, divided
1 can (12 fluid ounces) NESTLE CARNATION Evaporated Milk
2 teaspoons powdered sugar

PREHEAT oven to 300 degrees F. Grease 9-inch springform pan. Line bottom with 9-inch circle of wax paper. Grease top of wax paper. Combine candied fruit, raisins, nuts and orange zest in medium bowl; set aside.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, anise seeds and cloves in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add four eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually stir in flour mixture alternately with evaporated milk until blended. Stir in candied fruit mixture. Spoon into prepared springform pan.

BAKE for 45 minutes. Remove cake from oven. Beat remaining egg in small bowl. Brush top of cake with beaten egg and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

BAKE for an additional 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cover cake with foil if it starts to brown too quickly. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack. Run knife around edge of cake; remove side of springform cake. Turn cake over onto a plate; remove wax paper. Store cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in refrigerator for 1 day before slicing. Store refrigerated for up to 7 days.

Yields 16 servings

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Nestle and meals.com - used with permission