With Christmas round the corner, it’s time to think of various sumptuous delicacies that we would subject ourselves and our families and friends during this festive season.
We bring you various Christmas cakes and other delicacies that you can try this Christmas!
Ingredients:
1kg mixed dried fruit (use a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, cranberries, prunes or figs)
zest and juice of 1 orange and 1 Lemon
150ml brandy, Sherry, whisky or rum, plus extra for feeding
250g pack butter, softened
200g light soft brown sugar
175g plain flour
100g ground almond
½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
100g flaked almond
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Recipe:
1. Put the dried fruits, zests, juice, alcohol, butter and sugar in a large pan set over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 mins. Tip the fruit mixture into a large bowl and leave to cool.
2. Heat oven to 150degrees .
3. Line a deep cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, then wrap a double layer of newspaper around the outside – tie with string to secure.
4. Add the remaining ingredients to the fruit mixture and stir well, and tip into the tin, level the top and bake for 2 hrs.
5.Remove the cake from the oven, poke holes in it and sprinkle/pour/spoon 2 tbsp of your chosen alcohol. Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin
5. To store, peel off the baking parchment, then wrap well in cling film.
6. After the cake dries up, ice the cake with your chosen icing.
By: Archa Dave
