In my University summers I work as a lodge cook in scotland where they often request fruit cake to take up onto the hill. This means that unlike most people I don't make fruit once a year but regularly so I have had plenty of opportunity to adapt and amalgamate recipes to create my own. Fruit cake recipes are very personal and easily tailored to your own taste. I don't especially like cherries so I don't put many in and replace the rest with crystallised ginger. The name for this recipe comes from one of the estates I work for which particularly likes fruit cake.
Christmas cake often has a bad reputation not only because fruit cake is very out of fashion at the moment but also because rumour says that we must make it months in advance and it still often ends up being very dry after all that time and effort. Whilst I will not dispute the fact that you can get more flavour into a cake if you have let it mature and continued to feed it with alcohol for a few weeks before icing but that does not mean that it is a compulsory stage of the process.
This fruit cake recipe can be made and served on the same day. It fits into a nine inch round tin or an eight inch square tin. This year I made multiple fruit cakes as I put them into my christmas hampers. The square tin is good for hampers as you can cut it up to share between multiple hampers. Mary Berry suggests baking individual fruit cakes in old baked bean tins which is something I will definitely be trying in the future.
I like to decorate my cakes with fondant icing as a base than then pipe royal icing decorations over the top.
This year was the first time that I tied news paper around the cake tin whilst it baked. Having always thought that it was a waste of time I will admit that it did make sure that the cake much more evenly throughout. If you have time I would suggest it but it is not necessary but I would suggest it you don't wrap the tin then you will need to keep a closer eye to the top of the cake as it cooks.
Ingredients:
770g Sultanas
310g Raisins
180g Currants
150g Cherries
250g Prunes
130g Mixed Peel
100g Stem Ginger
3TBSP Marmalade
1TBSP Cocoa
1TSP Mixed Spices
1TSP Cinnamon
1/2 TSP Nutmeg
1/2 TSP Ground Clove
Zest of two clementine
Zest of a lemon
1TBSP Golden Syrup
1TBSP Treacle
9fl oz Brandy
250g Butter
230g Soft Brown Sugar
4 Eggs
250G Flour
60g Self Raising Flour
Method: If you have time then put all the fruits, spices and brandy into a bowl together cover and leave over night. If you don't have time don't bother. Preheat the oven to 150c or in a two door aga use the bottom oven. Cream the butter and sugar together. Then add the eggs one at a time. Next mix in the flours and the fruit. Put the mixture into a lined tin. Bake for 3.25-3.5hrs or until a skewer comes out clean.
If you are not serving it immediately then every few days or so make small holes into the cake with a cocktail stick and spoon over more brandy to taste.
This year I have been inspired by Vanesse Kimbell who is trying to get people to make Christmas. My mother has always been a bit of a grinch at Christmas complaining about the commercialisation of it. She threatens to cancel Christmas every year and work in a soup kitchen. I am beginning to agree with her, the celebration of the Christmas season should start no earlier than Christmas eve and end on January 6th. I hate that shops now sell Christmas decorations from August. (I am aware that I am becoming preemtively middle aged in supporting this sentiment). I have always thought Christmas hampers were a bit naff, full of things that you would never normally choose to buy and are not quite sure what to do with. But in the spirit of making christmas I though I would make two one for a family friend and another for my father. I am only going to put things in them that I know they like and will actually use.
Makes about 3 jars.
400g cherry tomatoes
9 red peppers
9 red chillies
6 garlic cloves
a thumb-sized chunk of root ginger
700g sugar
200ml cider vinegar
Finely chop the tomatoes, peppers, chillies, garlic and ginger. Put the sugar and vinegar into a pan over a low heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the tomatoes, peppers, chillies, garlic and ginger and simmer until the liquid has reduced and the mixture has a thick, sticky consistency. Bring to the boil, and cook on high for 1 minute, being careful not to let the jam boil over. Pour the jam into hot, sterilised jars; where it will keep for up to a year, or 1 month in the fridge once you've opened it.
I have already had to make a second batch as my flatmates have been hamper raiding!
Three black bananas in the fruit bowl need I say more. This was a new recipe for me as my bananas loaf recipe makes very heavy muffins. These were extremely light and very delicious.
Ingredients:
200g (7 oz) plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large bananas, mashed
150g (5 oz) caster sugar
1 egg
75g (2 1/2 oz) butter, soft
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C or roasting oven with a cold shelf. This makes 12. Combine mashed bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter in a large bowl. Sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
