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Recipe by Angela Nilsen

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1. Butter and base-line a deep 18cm round, loose-bottomed cake tin. Heat oven to 170C/fan 150C/gas 3. For the cake, stir together the flours, baking powder and sugar. Slit open the cardamom pods and remove the tiny seeds (discard the pods). Grind the seeds to a powder using a pestle and mortar, then stir into the flour mixture with the orange zest and all the other spices.
2. Rub the butter into the mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. Coarsely chop half the pecans and stir into the mix with the raisins, sultanas and cranberries. Beat the egg, pour in the milk and stir into the cake mixture. Spoon the mixture into the tin, level the top and scatter over the remaining pecan halves. Bake for 45 mins, then lower the heat to 150C/fan 130C/ gas 2 and bake for another 45 mins.
3. While the cake bakes, prepare the topping. Pat the cranberries dry on kitchen paper, then toss with the sugar in a small bowl. After the second 45 mins of baking, spoon the sugared cranberries over the top of the cake. Return to the oven for another 15-20 mins, or until the cranberries are sticky and a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.
4. Leave the cake to cool in the tin, then turn out onto a wire rack. Decorate with ribbon. The cake is best kept overnight for the flavours to mellow before slicing. Will keep in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks.

PER SLICE

345 kcalories, protein 4g, carbohydrate 47g, fat 17 g, saturated fat 7g, fibre 0g, salt 0.42 g

Latest comments and suggestions

• Julie Gates

  22 November 2008

  Julie Gates rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I made this with my four year old one evening for a girls drinks party at Christmas and have frozen it! it is the first time I have frozen a cake as well as been so organised as to make it ahead! Will let you know what it comes out like on the night but it looks lovely and my daughter commented on how 'Christmassy' it looked!

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• Julie Gates

  13 December 2008

  Julie Gates commented on this recipe

  I made this ahead and had a go at freezing it (I think it suggests not to do this but if you leave off the fruit and nuts at the last stage and wrap in foil to freeze - it works perfectly). Once defrosted I just made up some pecans and cranberries and mixed them with a little brown sugar and cinnamon to sprinkle on top- this works a treat. This cake tastes superb and all my guests were very impressed - I have just eaten the last piece as I write this and will definitely make again !

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• elaine

  15 December 2008

  elaine rated and commented on this recipe

  

  The first time i cooked it it turned out great... but i cannot get it right again... it is turning out very dry.... HELP! as i love to make it right again.

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• Moose

  26 December 2008

  Moose commented on this recipe

  First time I made this, I accidently put all the nuts into the mix! Still tasted fab. So much so, I made it again, (correctly this time) the following week for Christmas. I only had a 20" tin so baked it in my fan oven for 30 mins at 150 then a further 30 mins at 130. Only thing that didn't work either time was the caramalisation of the cranberries. Might try putting them on top earlier another time. Used a blow torch which sort of worked!

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• sue stabb

  30 December 2008

  sue stabb rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I made this as an alternative to the traditional Christmas cake, it is fabulous everybody loved it and it looked so nice on the table good choice!

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• Jules

  11 February 2009

  Jules rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Fantastic spice flavour and the cranberries add a lovely tartness. My cranberry topping didn't carmelised either but I plan to put them on earlier next time. A great alternative to Christmas cake that can made anytime!

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Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE

• 85g self-raising flour
• 140g wholemeal plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 175g golden caster sugar
• 4-5 cardamom pods
• zest 1 small orange
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 140g butter , cut into pieces
• 100g pecans
• 85g raisins , preferably golden or green
• 85g sultanas
• 85g dried cranberries
• 1 egg
• 125ml milk
• ribbon , to decorate

FOR THE TOPPING

• 85g frozen cranberries , thawed
• 25g golden caster sugar

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Difficulty and servings

Cuts into 12 slices

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 15 20 mins

Cook min 1 hr 45 mins

Vegetarian

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE

• 85g self-raising flour
• 140g wholemeal plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 175g golden caster sugar
• 4-5 cardamom pods
• zest 1 small orange
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 140g butter , cut into pieces
• 100g pecans
• 85g raisins , preferably golden or green
• 85g sultanas
• 85g dried cranberries
• 1 egg
• 125ml milk
• ribbon , to decorate

FOR THE TOPPING

• 85g frozen cranberries , thawed
• 25g golden caster sugar

PER SLICE

345 kcalories, protein 4g, carbohydrate 47g, fat 17 g, saturated fat 7g, fibre 0g, salt 0.42 g

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