CELEBRATION WITH FRUIT CAKES
CELEBRATION CAKE
- 500g sultanas
- 250g raisins
- 250g dates
- 125g currants
- 125g mixed peel
- 125g glace cherries
- 60g glace pineapple
- 60g glace apricots
- 1/2 cup rum, brandy, whisky or sherry
- 250g butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 5 eggs
- 1½ cups plain flour
- 1/2 cup self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
Chop raisins, dates peel cherries. pineapple and apricots the same size as sultanas, combine in a large basin with sultanas, currants, and rum, and mix well Cover the stand overnight or up to a week Line a deep 20cm square or deep 23cm round cake tin with three thicknesses of greaseproof paper bring paper Som above edges of tin Beat butter until soft, add sugar beat only until combined Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition Add creamed mixture to fruit mixture, mix well Stir in shed dry ingredients, mix thoroughly Spread evenly into the prepared tin, bake in slow oven 3 to 3 hours. When cooked brush evenly with about 2 tablespoons extra rum Cover tightly with minimum foil and leave until cold Remove foil and tin, leave lining paper intact Wrap in plastic food wrap Store for up to a year in the refrigerator
FESTIVE FRUIT AND NUT CAKE
- 250g dates
- 125g glace pineapple
- 125g grace apricots
- 125g red glace cherries
- 125g green glace cherries
- 125g whole blanched almonds
- 250g brazil nuts
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 90g butter
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 3 tablespoons self-raising flour
Chop pineapple and apricots into fairly large pieces, leave remaining fruit and nuts whole Mix all well together Beat eggs until thick and creamy, add sugar, vanilla, rum, and sat butter beating until combined Ste in sifted flours and fruit and nut mixture Divide mixture between 2 greased bar tins ( base measures 7cm x 25cm with base lined with greaseproof paper Press mixture firmly into tins Bake in slow oven 1 % hours or until cake is firm to touch; cool in tin 10 minutes When cold, wrap in plastic food wrap and refrigerate in airtight container for at least 3 months