You need:

This cake is virtually fat-free and also free of dairy products.

Method:

2 cups mixed dried fruits (including sultanas, chopped dates, raisins, chopped dried apricots or peaches, red and green glace cherries)
¾ cup dark brown sugar
1 ½ cups organic apple juice
juice and zest of 1 orange
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 free-range eggs, beaten
1 ¾ cups plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ teaspoon mixed ground spices
brandy (optional)

Place all dried fruits into a large saucepan and add the apple juice. Simmer over gentle heat until fruit has softened, stir in sugar until dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 160oC and line a square 20cm tin with two thicknesses of paper.

Stir into the cooled fruit/sugar mixture orange juice and zest, chopped walnuts and beaten eggs. Mix well.

Sift together plain flour, baking powder and spices. Stir into the fruit mixture in two portions. Spoon into the lined tin and smooth the surface. If desired, decorate top with halved walnuts and cherries.

Bake for 1 ¼ - ½ hours or until cake tests as cooked when a skewer in inserted.

If cake is browning too quickly , cover lightly with a sheet of brown paper.

Serving Suggestion: Remove from oven, drizzle on a little brandy if using, and cool in tin.