With all good intentions I really wanted to make my Christmas cake this weekend… but you know how it is, time fly’s when you’re having fun, and the weekend vanished before my eyes.

After a day of shopping, I managed to pop along to a champagne and nibbles celebration at the top of town and, then enjoy the Malvern Christmas lights switch on…well, with one thing and another Sunday came and went and the mixed dried fruit, cherries, rum and other delicious ingredients didn’t quite make it into the mixing bowl! If like me you still haven’t made your Christmas cake you could always give the recipe below a bash:-

Gather together….

• 510g  sultanas
• 265g  raisins
• 155g  currants
• 150g  pitted dates, finely chopped
• 100g  red glace cherries, quartered 
• 75g dried pineapple, finely chopped
• 50g mixed peel
• 185ml brandy
• 2 tsp finely grated orange rind
• Melted butter, to grease
• 250g butter, at room temperature
• 200g  brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 300g plain flour
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• Blanched almonds, to decorate
• Red glace cherries, extra, halved, to decorate
• 2 tbs brandy, extra

Then…

1. Combine sultanas, raisins, currants, dates, cherries, pineapple, mixed peel, brandy and orange rind in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside, stirring occasionally, for 2 days to soak.

2. Preheat oven to 150°C. Brush a round 22cm (base measurement) cake tin with melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base and side with non-stick baking paper.

3. Beat butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well between each addition until just combined. Add butter mixture to fruit mixture and stir to combine. Add flour and mixed spice and stir until well combined. Spoon into tin and smooth the surface. Lightly tap pan to release any air bubbles. Arrange almonds and cherries on top of the cake.

4. Bake in oven, covered with foil, for 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours or until a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Drizzle hot cake with extra brandy. Set aside to cool before turning out.

Alternatively check out The Cold Chefs delicious selection of Christmas cakes, mince pies and treats!