Subscribe
Advertisem*nt
Makes:
1 large cake
Annabel Langbein Media
Christmas cakes celebrate the power of tradition - every family has its own version or variation, which travels from friend to friend and generation to generation. This cake is cooked very slowly for 10-12 hours. It makes a wonderful Christmas gift, and can be made as one huge cake, or baked in two smaller tins (reduce the cooking time accordingly - check after 8 hours).
Ingredients
| 500 g | Butter |
| 2 cups | Sugar |
| 10 | Eggs |
| 2 Tbsp | Sherry, or brandy, plus half a cup extra to pour over the cake |
| 4 ½ cups | Flour |
| ½ tsp | Baking powder |
| ½ tsp | Salt |
| 10 cups | Dried fruit, such as currants, sultanas, raisins and dates (Main) |
| 1 cup | Mixed peel |
| 1 cup | Glace cherries |
| 2 cups | Mixed nuts, such as almonds and Brazil nuts |
Advertisem*nt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 100C (do not use fanbake as it will dry out this cake).
- Grease a 28cm round or 25cm square cake tin and line the base and sides with three layers of baking paper. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add eggs and the 2 Tbsp sherry or brandy and mix well.
- Sift flour, baking powder and salt together, then stir in dried fruit and nuts. Add to the butter mixture and use a large wooden spoon or clean hands to combine evenly. Transfer to prepared tin, pressing it in firmly.
- Cook until cake is set and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean (10-12 hours, check after 10 hours). Remove from oven and immediately make holes across top of cake with a skewer and pour the ½ cup sherry or brandy over the top.
- Leave cake in tin until absolutely cold. Will keep for weeks if covered and stored in an airtight container in a cool place.
More Christmas cakes from Annabel
- Eliza's fruit cake
- Miraculous three ingredient Christmas cake
For more great Annabel Langbein recipes see her summer annual
A Free Range Life: Celebrate Summer
! (Annabel Langbein Media, $24.95) or visit
Collections you may like
Sides and salads recipes for Christmas in summer
Southern Hemisphere Christmas calls for fresh, festive sides.
Summer berry recipes for the sweet tooth
Make the most of the summer fruits. Explore ways to bring berries into the kitchen.
Cherry time: Recipes for cherry lovers
Celebrate your love for the bright red stone fruit with these cherry-filled recipes.
Can't get apples? 25 canned and frozen fruit recipes
Dodge the fresh fruit shortage, using frozen goods in these recipes to get your sweet fix.
How to use up your leftover ham this Christmas
Get creative with your leftover ham by trying these recipes designed for any time of day.
Breakfast recipes for Christmas morning
Start Christmas morning off the right way by choosing from our breakfast collection.
Best party bite recipes for Christmas 2023
Wow your guests with this collection of party recipes.
Christmas sauces and trimmings recipes
Whip up some accompaniments in the kitchen to elevate your Christmas cuisine offering.
A seafood Christmas: Recipes for kaimoana lovers
Depart from the Christmas staples and bring seafood to the table this holiday season.
Vegetarian Christmas recipes for everybody to enjoy
Providing a plethora of vegetarian Christmas recipes that everyone is able to indulge in.
Salad recipes for sharing over summer
Fresh summer salads are a necessity in the heat.
Sides and salads recipes for Christmas in summer
Southern Hemisphere Christmas calls for fresh, festive sides.
Summer berry recipes for the sweet tooth
Make the most of the summer fruits. Explore ways to bring berries into the kitchen.
Cherry time: Recipes for cherry lovers
Celebrate your love for the bright red stone fruit with these cherry-filled recipes.
Can't get apples? 25 canned and frozen fruit recipes
Dodge the fresh fruit shortage, using frozen goods in these recipes to get your sweet fix.
How to use up your leftover ham this Christmas
Get creative with your leftover ham by trying these recipes designed for any time of day.
Breakfast recipes for Christmas morning
Start Christmas morning off the right way by choosing from our breakfast collection.
Best party bite recipes for Christmas 2023
Wow your guests with this collection of party recipes.
Christmas sauces and trimmings recipes
Whip up some accompaniments in the kitchen to elevate your Christmas cuisine offering.
A seafood Christmas: Recipes for kaimoana lovers
Depart from the Christmas staples and bring seafood to the table this holiday season.
Vegetarian Christmas recipes for everybody to enjoy
Providing a plethora of vegetarian Christmas recipes that everyone is able to indulge in.
Sides and salads recipes for Christmas in summer
Southern Hemisphere Christmas calls for fresh, festive sides.
Summer berry recipes for the sweet tooth
Make the most of the summer fruits. Explore ways to bring berries into the kitchen.
Cherry time: Recipes for cherry lovers
Celebrate your love for the bright red stone fruit with these cherry-filled recipes.
