Here is a simply delicious festive treat to make at home for all family to enjoy. *Lets bake a christmas cake*
Serves 12 *
Ingredients
400g sultanas *
250 raisins
200g currants *
150ml brandy
130g unsalted butter *
180g dark cane Muscovado sugar
3 large eggs *
160g self-raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice *
1 tsp salt
25g Italian mixed peel *
150g glace cherries
1 orange, zested*
50g flaked almonds
Instructions *
1. Soak the sultanas, raisins and currants in 100ml brandy overnight
2. Preheat the oven to 150*C/Fan 130*C
3. Grease a 8-incn tin, and line it with baking parchment, double layer the sides and ensure at least 2 inches of parchment protrudes above the tin
4. Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs one at a time making sure fully combined together
5. Seperately mix the flour, mixed spice and salt then combine with the creamed butter and sugar
6. Once its smooth, add in the Italian mixed peel, glace cherries, orange zest and flaked almonds
7. Stir in the soaked fruit and brandy mix, stir and mix well together, then pour into the prepared cake tin and smooth gently level out the batter
8. Place in a preheated oven and cook for 2 3/4 hours. Then place a skewer in the centre of the cake and check it comes out clean and free of any unbaked cake mix
9. Remove from the oven when ready and leave to cool in the tin for 30 minutes, before turning onto a cooling rack
10. Once the cake has completely cooled, make small holes across the surface of the cake using a clean skewer
11. With a pastry brush, brush 50ml of brandy over the cake until it has soaked in
12. Wrap tightly in a double layer of baking parchment and foil, then store in a cool dry place
13. Ice your cake using apricot jam and fondant icing ready for Christmas.