It's that magical time of year again—Christmas cake prep time! Baking a classic, moist fruit cake to enjoy during the festive season.



Bake this festive fruit cake in advance of Christmas. An easy traditional moist fruit cake, perfect for Christmas. What's your favourite recipe to bake for Christmas?


FRUITY CHRISTMAS CAKE

Prep time: 15 - 20 mins
Cook time: 4 hours
Serves: 8 - 10 

Ingredients

875g mixed dried fruit (a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, glazed cherries, mixed peel, cranberries and apricots )

Zest & juice 1 orange & 1 lemon

5 tbsp brandy, plus extra for feeding

225g butter, softened

225g dark brown sugar

225g plain flour

100g flaked almonds

1/2 tsp mixed spice

¼ tsp grated nutmeg

4 large eggs

1 tbsp treacle


Method

Mix dried fruit with brandy, cover, leave overnight to soak.

Add all ingredients together with the fruit mixture into a bowl & stir well.

Preheat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Line a deep 20cm cake tin with baking paper.

Pour into tin, decorate top of cake with almonds & half glazed cherries (optional). Cover top of cake with baking paper & bake in the centre of the oven for 4 hrs.

When cake is cool, poke holes in it with a skewer & spoon over 1 tbsp of brandy.

Wrap cake in baking paper & foil and feed once a week with more brandy. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.