Every year Father and Mrs
Christmas make their Christmas cake at the beginning of November. It can be
made up to 6 months in advance and should always be made at least three weeks
before you want to eat it otherwise it tends to be a little crumbly. Here is Father and Mrs Christmas’ very
special Christmas cake recipe. It’s very easy and a big hit with the elves.
Here’s what you need
1kg mixed dried fruits (any blend
of raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel, dried cranberries, glacé cherries,
dates or dried figs)
150ml sherry, brandy,
rum or brewed tea, plus extra for feeding
zest and juice 2
lemons, 2 oranges or 4 clementine’s
250g pack unsalted
butter , softened, plus extra for the tin
250g soft brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
200g plain flour
2 tsp. mixed spice
And
here’s what you have to do.
1. Put the dried fruit mixture into a large bowl and add alcohol or tea. Mix
and over then leave overnight.
2. Heat oven to 160c,/140c fan/gas 3. Butter and double line a cake tine.
Measurements should be 20cm round or
18cm square. Wrap the outside of the tin with brown paper and secure with
string.
3. Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together until creamy.
4. Beat in each egg individually, adding a tablespoon of the flour in
between each egg.
5. Add the rest of the flour, fruit and alcohol mix and mixed spice. Stir
everything together. Don’t forget to get all of the family to have a stir and
make a wish as they do! Then scrape
mixture into the prepared cake tin.
6. Pop in the oven and cook for one and a half hours. Turn oven down to
140c/120c fan/gas 1 and cook for another 45 mins – 1 hour. Poke an elf’s ski
stick or a skewer, depending on what’s closest to hand, deep into the cake and
if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
7. Let the cake cool in the tin, then take out and wrap in greaseproof
paper. Keep in an airtight (and elf proof) box. Every week, give the cake a few
pokes with the skewer and pour in a
little of your chosen alcohol or tea.
When you’re ready to decorate you
can go to town. Santa likes Royal Icing but Mrs. Claus much prefers fondant. The choice
is yours. Enjoy!
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