There are many recipe's for Christmas cake but this is the one I use. It came from Robert's mum iv added a few thing over the years.
4oz dates
4oz prunes
4oz cherries
half pound raisins
1lb currents
10oz sultanas
4 oz walnuts
4oz almonds
1squeezed lemon and peel
1 squeezed orange and peel
2 tablespoons marmalade
1 tablespoon black treacle
2 teaspoon mixed spice
2teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon nutmeg
At least 3 tablespoons of rum, brandy, or your preference
All these mixed together the day before to let the alcohol soak in the fruit.
It is tradition at this stage for us all to have a stir and a wish.
The dry ingredients are
10oz plain flour
10oz demerara sugar
10oz hard margarine
1 teaspoon bicarb of soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
half teaspoon salt
6 eggs
Beat margarine and sugar, add ingredients alternately finally add the fruit.
The cake mixture is for one large cake but i have made two smaller cakes this time. I lined the tins with greaseproof paper.
before baking i wrap brown paper around the outside. it takes a while to cook and this way stops the outside from burning.
Bake in pre-heated oven for 20 minutes gas 5, 190f 375c. Then reduce heat to gas 2, 150f, 300c and continue to cook for 4 hours or until cooked. When still warm poor over 4 tablespoons of chosen alcohol.
The cooked cakes. I will marzepan and decorate with iceing later. The smell of the house from the ingredence from the cake is geting me in the xmas spirt.
