Recipe for dried apricot cake

Ingredients:
– 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups of granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
– 1/2 cup of dried apricots, chopped
– 1/2 cup of buttermilk
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
– Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9-inch cake pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ginger.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped dried apricots and vanilla extract.
7. Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and smooth out the top.
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 before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Tips:
– You can use either sweetened or unsweetened dried apricots for this recipe.
– If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and curdles slightly.
– If you prefer a stronger ginger flavor, you can increase the amount to 1 teaspoon.
– To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.

Conclusion:
This dried apricot cake is a delicious way to incorporate dried fruit into your baking. The sweetness of the apricots pairs perfectly with the warm spices and soft crumb of the cake. Serve it for dessert or as a sweet breakfast treat. Don’t forget to dust it with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.