Not long til Xmas (cake Time)

 So as September draws to a close it's time to start the production of this years  Christmas Cake, I go with a slightly modified version of Mary Berry's Christmas Cake using Organic ingredients where I can get em, Organic Sugar proved elusive again and for some reason can't get Organic Currants or Glace Cherries! But everything else is Organic.

It started last Wednesday Evening with the soaking of the fruit a Mixture of Raisins, Currants and Sultanas ( I like Sultanas the best so modified the Berrys quantities to go heavy on the Sultanas) Orange Zest and Glace Cherries in Organic Brandy (This cost £39 a bottle ,but in it's defence it's done 3 years, that is 3 cakes and 3 Puddings so not that bad 😜,don't do the maths it is that bad😂)

Fruit Soaking

So after 3 days living with the amazing smell of the soaking fruit we moved on to the actual construction of the cake, Margie helping with her traditional lining of the Tin which she does with consummate ease, (would take me about 3 hours!😲)

Tin Lining Perfection

It is quite an easy recipe to follow bascally bung all the ingredients in the mixer then fold in the fruit.

Chopped Almonds

Butter, Dark Muscovado, Black Treacle and Eggs

The now Plumped up Fruit

Plain Flour and Mixed Spice

Mix it altogether!!

Fold in the fruit

Pop It In the Tin

 
Step aside so Margie can lick the bowl!!😁 This is a dangerous time, get between her and the bowl can result in serious injury!!  

Cook for 4 hours ,at this point I also made a diversionary fruit cake, we have learnt from previous years of the anguish of being surrounded by the delicious smells and sight of a magnificent Christmas Cake and not being able to eat it, indeed I was seriously worried that Margie would break and devour the cake (she hasn't got my iron self-control when it comes to sweet stuff😂😂) So a fruit cake was made I was so in control with this that I even soaked extra fruit in brandy and orange juice!!

Diversional Cake

So after 4hrs the cake is out of the oven

Take out of the Oven and feed with some more Brandy

A nice pair

Cooling Down

So now we wrap in greaseproof paper and foil put in a cool dark place, feed with Brandy every two weeks between now and a week before Christmas at which point will cover in homemade Marzipan and then probably Royal Icing although haven't made a final decision on the icing as the previous two efforts have been somewhat let down by my efforts at making icing so will decide what to do nearer the time!! I think it tastes nice due to the wait anticipation is everything!! 😀😁