Luxury Christmas Cake
- Preparation and cooking time
- Prep:
- Cook:
- Easy
- Serves 12
It looks really difficult but it is actually amazingly easy - its just the ingredients list that looks daunting. This also makes an unforgettable wedding or christening cake.
Ingredients
- 225g (8 oz) currants
- 225g (8 oz) lexia raisins
- 225g (8 oz) sultanas
- 175g (6 oz) glacé cherries, halved
- 175g (6 oz) whole mixed candied peel, chopped small
- 50g (2 oz) candied pineapple pieces
- 50g (2 oz) stem ginger, chopped
- 100g (4 oz) dried apricots, chopped
- 150ml (1/4 pint) brandy or dark rum
- zest of 1 large lemon
- 100g (4 oz) blanched almonds, chopped
- 200g (7 oz) plain flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 dessertspoon ground mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 350g (12 oz) butter
- 350g (12 oz) soft light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon black treacle
- 6 eggs
- 5 tablespoons brandy or dark rum
Method
- STEP 1Place all of the dried fruits into a large mixing bowl or pot (I use my jam pan), and mix in brandy or dark rum. Cover with a clean cloth and leave to stand for at least 24 hours, stirring every few hours so the fruit plumps up.
- STEP 2Mix together the zest, almonds, flour and spices in a bowl.
- STEP 3In a separate bowl, cream the butter, sugar and treacle until light. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a little flour with each. Finally, gently fold in the dry ingredients.
- STEP 4Tip the creamed mixture into the fruit. You can be polite and use a wooden spoon if you like but I find it easier to role my sleeves up and use my hands. If you have a spare 10 year old with clean hands, you will find they love this bit! Make sure the fruit is evenly distributed.
- STEP 5repare a 23-25cm (9-10 in) cake tin: Double-line the inside of the tin with baking parchment, greasing it first. Allow the parchment to come about 1cm (1/2 in) above the top of the tin which should be in the region of 8cm (3 1/2 in) deep. Cut a double circle of parchment with a diameter approximately 5cm (2 in) bigger than the tin. Fold and cut a hole in the centre about 4cm (1 1/2 in) across.
- STEP 6Pour the mixture into the lined tin. Even the top and make a slight indentation in the centre with the back of a spoon. Put into the middle of a preheated oven (150 C / Gas mark 2) and carefully balance the circular disk of parchment on top of the tin - this stops the top of the cake over-browning and drying out. It's easier not to use the fan in a fan oven as it tends to blow the covering parchment off.
- STEP 7Bake for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Place on a rack and allow to go cold in the tin (overnight). Remove from tin and take off the side parchment, leaving the bottom intact. Pierce all over with a skewer and carefully spoon over 5 tablespoons brandy or dark rum. Wrap carefully in a double layer of parchment then in two layers of foil. The cake must be completely enclosed by both.
- STEP 8Age in a cool, dark place in an airtight tin for at least 4 months. 'Feed' monthly with four additional tablespoons of brandy or rum. Rewrap carefully each time.
- STEP 9Two weeks before required, cover with marzipan. Allow to dry for 5 days. Ice with fondant or royal icing, and decorate as desired.
