Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe

You will need:-

9 oz. plain flour

¼ level teaspoon salt

1 level teaspoon mixed spice

12 oz. stoned raisins

12 oz. sultanas

12 oz. currants

2 oz. candied peel, chopped

3 oz. glace cherries, quartered

2 oz. almonds, blanched and chopped

8 oz. butter

8 oz. soft brown sugar

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1½ level tablespoons black treacle

2 tablespoons brandy

 

Preparation Time:- 30 minutes

 

Cooking Time:- 4 hours

 

Oven Setting:- 300°F; Gas Mark 1½

                      265°F; Gas Mark ½

 

Line base and sides of an 8-inch round cake tin with a double layer of greaseproof paper, then tie a double band of brown paper, 1-inch wider than the depth of the tin, round the outside. Sieve flour, salt and spice into a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Beat in a little egg at a time.

 

Stir in treacle, then flour, dried fruit peel, cherries and almonds. Turn mixture into prepared tin and bake in a cool oven for 3 hours, then reduce oven to very cool and bake for a further hour, or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

 

Leave cake to cool in tin for 10 minutes, then turn it out on to a wire tray; remove paper. When almost cold turn it upside down, pierce with a skewer and spoon brandy over. When completely cold wrap in greaseproof paper and foil, or store in an airtight tin.

 

Quick Tip

 

Make the cake at least a month before Christmas; this gives it time to mature. Before almond pasting spoon a little more brandy over the top of the cake.

 

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