Christmas Cake

Maida                                      250 gms

Butter                                       250 gms

Powered sugar                         250 gms

Eggs                                         8 nos

Cherries                                   150 gms

Mixed peel                               85 gms

Lemon rind                               1

Cinnamon                                 10 gms

Raisins                                      150 gms

Cashews                                  150 gms

Dates                                       150 gms

Tooty fruity                               150 gms

Golden syrup                            2 tsps

1)      Prepare the fruit. Preparing fruit means, cutting it into small pieces and mixing the dry fruits and adding a bit of brandy or rum to the taste of the maker and keep it at least for 6 hours before starting the process for the cake.

2)      Cream butter, which means as we do in traditional butter cake. Rubbing the butter on a clean table or a bowl and making it a bit soft and adding the powered sugar. This forms in such way they make a white paste. Add the beaten eggs and continue mixing. This should be done in a circular motion. And maida should be added little by little.

3)      Add the fruit, lemon rind, golden syrup and cinnamon.

4)      Fill the baking vessel with butter paper covering the bottom and side walls. The mixture should only be till 70% of the vessel.

5)      Cook in a moderate heat of 150°-160°C [300-325F°] for about 3 hours.

6)      Stick a stick to check to see whether it’s done. When done the stick will return clean.

7)      Take it out.

8)      After couple of hours demold the cake and allow it to cool.

9)      Then transfer it to an air tight container.

10)  This cake can be stored at least for 6 to 8 weeks or more.

You even add other kinds of dried fruits and nuts to your convenience. A pinch of baking powder can be added. Golden syrup is available in stores nowadays.

All kinds queries, suggestions, feedbacks are welcomed.