christmas cake is something i only started making last year having never really liked fruit cake but i do stand every year and gaze longingly at the tubs of sparkly shiny glace fruits. last year kay's mum gave me her recipe and i was off to the grocery store quick smart to invite those fruity jewels into my kitchen!
this year i used glace peaches and red and green (favourite!) cherries, dried apricots, cherries and cranberries oh and some golden sultanas. i wanted to keep the fruit light and summery rather than a heavy rich wintery brew
after cooking the fruit, the condensed milk and baking soda were added and the alchemy began. we all had a stir and made christmas wishes
i rang michael's mother to ask about wrapping the tin - inside or out - either way would be fine. i couldn't decide so wrapped both ways. i really enjoyed this part of the process. it was all starting to remind me of my favourite christmas book when i was little - 'the tall book of christmas' not to mention a certain song from the sound of music
almonds for decoration
two and a half hours later it was done - there was late night warm cake snacking going on here!
a new cake plate and cover which fits perfectly
a slice anyone?!