SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CAKE

On the glorious occasion, people indulge in preparing mouthwatering dishes and relishing on them and when it comes to feasting and relishing, what better can you think of than a scrumptious and luscious cake.Prepared a day or two before the Christmas day, this cake is generally served along with custard or double cream.

Ingredients

Makes one 23 cm / 9 in cake
Butter or margarine, softened	150 g/5 oz
Soft brown sugar	150 g/5 oz
Eggs	3
Black treacle (molasses)	30 ml/2 tbsp
Self-raising flour	225 g/8 oz/2 cups
Ground mixed (apple-pie) spice	10 ml/2 tsp
Grated nutmeg	2.5 ml/0.5 tsp
Baking soda	2.5 ml/0.5 tsp
Mixed dried fruit (fruit cake mix)	450 g/1 lb
Glace (candied) cherries	50 g/2 oz
Chopped mixed peel	50 g/2 oz
Chopped mixed nuts	50 g/2 oz
Brandy	30 ml/2 tbsp
Additional brandy to mature the cake (optional)

Special Christmas Cake

Method

Cream together the butter or margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and treacle, then fold in the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda.
Gently stir in the fruit, mixed peel and nuts, then stir in the brandy.
Spoon into a base-lined 23 cm/9 in microwave dish and microwave on Low for 45–60 minutes.
Leave to cool in the dish for 15 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to finish cooling.
When cool, wrap the cake in foil and store in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks. If liked, pierce the top of the cake several times with a thin skewer and sprinkle over some additional brandy, then re-wrap and store the cake. You can do this several times to create a richer cake.