Easy Christmas Cake
I finally got around to making my Christmas Cake last weekend. I was beginning to panic a bit as I've never left it this late before. Instead of the usual pre-soaking of the fruits in alcohol, I decided to simmer the fruits in Cherry Brandy for 10 minutes, which meant I could get the whole cake made and baked in a couple of hours.
The cake is now safely wrapped in a double layer of baking paper and a layer of foil, ready for its weekly feedings of cherry brandy - it's going to be a boozy one! In terms of the decoration, this year I am opting out of icing and instead going to go for a simple apricot glaze (warmed apricot jam brushed onto the cake) with brazil nuts and candied fruits on top.
EASY CHRISTMAS CAKE
Christmas, Cake
Easy Christmas Cake
An easy Christmas Cake recipe
prep time: 20 minscook time: 1 hour and 45 minstotal time: 1 hours and 65 mins
ingredients:
- 500g dried fruit mix including raisins, currants and mixed peel
- 100g Glace Cherries, chopped
- 100g Apricots, chopped
- 100g Dates, chopped
- Zest of 2 Oranges and juice of 1
- 175g Butter
- 200g Dark Brown Sugar
- 100ml Brandy - I used Cherry, plus 4 TBSP
- 3 large Eggs, beaten
- 85g ground Almonds
- 200g plain Flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 TSP Mixed Spice
- 1 TSP Cinnamon
instructions
Step 1: Double line a 20cm deep cake tin with baking paper.
Step 2: Put the fruits, zest, juice, butter, sugar and brandy in a saucepan and bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and continue to stir for 10 minutes. Leave to cool
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 150c/130c Fan/Gas 2. When the boozy fruit mixture is cooled, stir in the eggs and almonds then sift in the flour, baking powder and spices.
Step 4: Spoon into prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake for 45 minutes then turn down the heat to 140c/gas 1 and continue to bake for 1 hour. Test with skewer.
Step 5: When completely cool, remove from tin and wrap as instructed in the introduction.
Never too late for Christmas cake, especially if it looks like this!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite local baker was making Christmas cake this year & I planned on getting one to store & serve at teh holidays but we got snowed in & I didn't get any so perhaps I have time to make one....
ReplyDeleteI have a bottle of cherry brandy at the back of the cupboard somewhere ... must fish it out!!!
ReplyDeleteCake looks wonderful.
i love christmas cakes..they put you in a nice festive mood.
ReplyDeleteIs it too late to make a Christmas cake next week??
ReplyDeleteWhat an intersting recipe - bet it will be delicious. Think your decoration will be beautiful. I always rather fancy decorating my cake that way but I'm rather to fond of marzipan to forgo the traditional icing!
ReplyDelete