Last-minute fruit cake

I have been making this since 1986 when I first found the recipe. It’s moist and lovely every time. I often make it in 5″ tins, as that size makes a good sized gift for a next door neighbour, or older single person. I use Ruby Port instead of brandy as it gives a good colour, but either works. I wrap in cling wrap, use Xmas ribbon and tinsel and most people just love them.

Something home cooked is a rarity now days. Use a big spoon of marmalade instead of the fruit rinds if desired and I never cook in a square tin as the corners dry out.

Happy cooking!

If preferred, 1 1/4kg mixed fruit can be used instead of the dried fruit listed in the ingredients below. Decorate cake with glace cherries and almonds, before baking, if desired.

Ingredients

• 375g sultanas
• 250g raisins, chopped
• 250g currants
• 125g mixed peel
• 125g glace cherries, halved
• 60g glace pineapple, chopped
• 60g glace apricots, chopped
• 250g butter
• big pinch mixed spices
• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1.2 cup brandy
• 1.2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons grated orange rind
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1 tablespoon treacle
• 5 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 3/4 cups plain flour
• 1/2 cup self-raising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda

Method

1. Line a deep 23cm round cake tin with 3 thicknesses of greaseproof paper, bring paper 5cm above edge of tin.
2. Combine fruit, butter, sugar, brandy and water in pan.
3. Stir over heat until butter is melted and sugar dissolved.
4. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, simmer, cover, 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, cool to room temperature.
6. Stir in orange and lemon rinds, treacle and eggs.
7. Stir in sifted dry ingredients, spread mixture evenly into tin.
8. Bake in slow oven 2 to 2.5 hours.
9. Cover hot cake with foil, cool in tin.

Thanks so much to Virginia Carter for sending through this recipe. If you have a recipe to submit, send it to us here