Sunday, December 11, 2011

Easy Christmas Cake



I like my recipes to be easy, but I also like them to pack a bit of a visual punch...and this delivers on both counts.

It's an easy Christmas cake recipe that I first got from New Idea...and adapted it just a little.

The first thing you do, preferably the night before you plan to make the cake, is soak 1 kg of mixed dried fruit, with half a cup of brandy. Actually, you can use whatever alcohol you like. It's basically to help preserve the cake so you can make it well in advance and store it in the lead up to Christmas



The next day, line your cake tin with at least two layers of baking paper.  This helps to protect the cake from burning


Then in the bottom of the tin, place in 1 cup of brazil nuts, a good sprinkling of almonds and I also added some chopped fruit medley and some halved macadamias


Easy peasy



Now.... cream together 250 gr butter and 1 cup dark brown sugar


Then add 4 eggs and a large glob of marmalade. I used some Rose's lime marmalade I had in the fridge. Now if the mix starts to separate, don't worry, just add a tablespoon of flour to bring it together..


Next, mix in the fruit and liquid


...and then add 2 1/2 cups of plain flour and a teaspoon of mixed spice. I used cinnamon and Nutmeg....and fold it all through



Spoon it into the cake tin and smooth down the top


It's going to take about 2 1/2 hours in a slow oven, about 150 degrees,(fan forced)


Always make sure you test it with a skewer or sharp bladed knife to make sure it's cooked right through the centre though

Once it's cool, invert the cake onto a nice plate or cake stand...and there you have it


Mine was a little overcooked on the bottom, I think I'll put three layers of paper on the bottom of the cake pan in future, just to give it a little more protection

Hope you like it. I know we're going to enjoy it next weekend when the family's here for the annual
"Festival of Meat".
More on that later in the week.


Ingredients:
1kg mixed dried fruit
1/2 cup brandy (or other alcohol)
250gr butter
2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 cup brazil nuts
1/2 cup macadamia nuts
half a cup of almonds
half a cup of fruit salad medley (optional)

6 comments:

  1. It looks beautiful! I tend to rely on mum for my supply of Christmas cake. I have made it once but it was a little too moist in the middle. I hope yours has cherries, they're my favorite bit :)

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  2. Sarah, we were relying on MONT's Mum for her terrific cakes each year, but unfortunately she's not in a position to bake any more, so it's up to me. This did turn out a little moist in the centre, but that can depend on the flour and size of the eggs. In future I'll add a tiny bit more flour, just in case. It is yummy though. We've already cut it. I've given half to my Mum and we've each had a slice. I think I'll have to make another one.

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  3. Hey there,
    Loving this recipe! I am going to have to give it a try...sounds nice and simple, and that is what I am needing this Christmas! Beautiful blog too, I so enjoying popping by for a visit! x Rachel

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  4. Hi Rachel. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my cake....and the blog...hope to see you back here again soon

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  5. That looks like delicious & I like the idea of anything that's 'easy'!
    x
    Melissah

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