posted by Mandi 11-26-101 6:19 PM
Christmas Cake
1 kg dried mixed fruit
about 1/2 cup favourite spirit (for soaking fruit)
250g butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
2 teaspoon of your favourite spice (mixed spiced, cinnamon, nutmeg)
plus pre soaked fruit
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
about 1 1/2 cups ginger, pecan or other nuts (optional)
2 eggs
Soak dried mixed fruit in your favourite spirit. Leave at least over night or as long as a week or two weeks.
Place butter, brown sugar, water, spices and fruit in a large pot.Bring to boil; when boiling add 1 teaspoon bicarb soda and turn off to cool.
In a large bowl, place flours and optional ingredients (what ever takes your fancy-about a cup and a half of extras at this stage dependant on whats in the cupboard). Pour in cooled fruit mix and mix in eggs. Place into two tins lined with brown paper or baking paper.
Bake for approx 1 to 1 1/2 hrs at 180c. To test if cooked, place your ear close to the top of the cake. If you can not hear steam rising its done. It can also be cooked as one large cake.
The recpie make two cakes approx 2.5 lbs.