BBC Good Food

08 November 2009

Tested

"I halved the ingredients to make this more manageable (and save the calories in the tum!). Like a previous reviewer, have incorporated the marzipan in with the mix: actually chiiled it then grated it to scatter on the rolled out mix. Also, soaked fruit in brandy, overnight, and added much more nutmeg to give a greater taste of Christmas! My tips: 1) Leave even longer to rise (before baking) after shaping into tin (3/4 - 1 hour min) 2) Be sure to coat the end joins of the wreath with egg to prevent a split when removing from tin. 3) drizzle a little brandy over the cake well before icing for added warmth! This cake works weel without the (expensive) pistacios; also have tried substituting raisins for choped dates - which are even tastier. Make the fondant icing really thick (v. little water) before drizziling on cake. It will be much admired. "