I knew there was a reason.........

As to why I delayed in making my Christmas Cake.

On Friday morning while I was waiting for a friend to go for coffee with.  The charity shop had just opend its door, (the only one which opens early on a Friday for Farmers Market trade).  While I was waiting for Jill I went in and had a look just to see what they had definitely not intending to buy anything but on the shelf were these cake tins for £5 as you see never been used, twenty years ago I had the large ring and tray from an offer from a magazine for twice that which I still have!

 

I fitted in two large round cake cases into the medium size ring

and made my Christmas Cake.  This year I soaked the fruit in the Brandy the day before and everytime I passed the bowl gave the fruit a stir.  I also added a few Cranberrys and Dried Pineapple.  I do not add nuts anymore as my DIL is allergic to them.

My Version

Weight of 4 eggs in
Butter, Muscavado Sugar, Self Raising Flour + one extra ounce of flour

1lb  Mixed fruit (doesn’t have to be accurate near enough will do)

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 tsp Mixed Spice

4 oz Glace Cherries
3 Large Tablespoons of Brandy

Cream together the butter and sugar and eggs till very pale in colour.

Mix all of the dry ingredients fruit together and then add to the mixture.

Fold in gently.

Add the Brandy and stir in gently

Bake in a warm oven, 140°C (gas mark 1) for about 3 hours,

Test after about 2hours
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Original Receipt

Weight of 4 eggs in
Butter, Muscavado Sugar, Plain Flour

Plus 1/2 teaspoon of Baking powder
1oz of Ground Almonds

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Mixed Spice

6 oz Currants

6 oz Sultanas

6 oz Raisins

6 oz Mixed Candied Peel

4 oz Glace Cherries
2oz Blanched Almonds
Brandy, Port or Rum
　
Cream together the butter and sugar and eggs till very pale in colour.

Add the eggs one at a time slowly.

Mix all of the dry ingredients together and then add to the mixture.

Finally add the brandy, rum or port and fold in gently.

Bake in a warm oven for about 3 hours, test after about 2hours