Nici Wickes: A Winning Christmas Cake

It’s that time of year when we can no longer deny that Christmas will be happening in about 6 weeks! Get at least this fun job ticked off - making the Christmas cake. This recipe makes a neat little cake, perfect for smaller households or as a gift.

Makes one small cake (15cmx15cm)

 

Ingredients:

650g mixed fruit – I used currants, sultanas, raisins, dried apricots

1 tbsp honey 1 grated apple

¼ cup brandy

¾ cup loosely packed brown sugar

1 scant tsp baking powder

1 ¼ cups of flour

150g butter, melted

3 small eggs, beaten

Blanched almonds for top (optional)

 

Method: 

1. In a large mixing bowl put the first 4 ingredients (fruit, honey, apple, brandy) and leave overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 150 C. Prepare a 15x15cm tin with 2 layers of newspaper followed by another 2 layers of baking paper, sides and bottom.

3. Mix the brown sugar into the fruit mix and mix thoroughly. Add the flour and baking powder and give it another good mix. Now add the melted butter and finally the beaten eggs. Make sure all is mixed well - strong arms are needed!

4. Tip this all into your prepared tin and decorate with the almonds – any shape you like but if it’s a gift I'm inclined to shape them into a heart.

5. Place cake tin on a magazine in the middle rack of the oven and bake until a skewer comes out clean - about 1 ¾ - 2 hours. Leave to cool.

6. Wrap cake well in foil and store in a cool place in an airtight container until needed.

 

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