Creole Christmas Cake
This very rich cake from the West Indies is ideal for those who prefer not to ice their Christmas cakes.
Yield
16 servingsPrep
20 minCook
4 hrsReady
1Ingredients
Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
---|---|---|---|
3 | tablespoons |
rum
|
|
3 | tablespoons |
brandy
|
|
3 | tablespoons |
kirsch (cherry brandy)
|
* |
3 | tablespoons |
cointreau
|
* |
3 | tablespoons |
water
|
|
1 ½ | teaspoons |
angostura bitters
|
* |
½ | teaspoon |
cinnamon
ground |
|
½ | teaspoon |
nutmeg
ground |
|
½ | teaspoon |
cloves
ground |
|
½ | teaspoon |
salt
|
|
1 ½ | teaspoons |
vanilla extract
|
|
1 | tablespoon |
molasses
sugar |
|
225 | grams |
golden raisins
sultanas |
|
225 | grams |
raisins, seedless
|
|
225 | grams |
currants
|
|
100 | grams |
prunes
stoned, no soak, chopped |
|
50 | grams |
maraschino cherries
chopped |
* |
100 | grams |
mixed candied peel
|
* |
50 | grams |
almonds
chopped |
|
50 | grams |
pecans
chopped |
|
250 | grams |
self-rising flour
|
|
250 | grams |
demerara sugar
|
* |
250 | grams |
butter
room temperature |
|
5 | large |
eggs
size 1 |
Ingredients
Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
---|---|---|---|
45 | ml |
rum
|
|
45 | ml |
brandy
|
|
45 | ml |
kirsch (cherry brandy)
|
* |
45 | ml |
cointreau
|
* |
45 | ml |
water
|
|
7.5 | ml |
angostura bitters
|
* |
2.5 | ml |
cinnamon
ground |
|
2.5 | ml |
nutmeg
ground |
|
2.5 | ml |
cloves
ground |
|
2.5 | ml |
salt
|
|
7.5 | ml |
vanilla extract
|
|
15 | ml |
molasses
sugar |
|
225 | grams |
golden raisins
sultanas |
|
225 | grams |
raisins, seedless
|
|
225 | grams |
currants
|
|
1E+2 | grams |
prunes
stoned, no soak, chopped |
|
5E+1 | grams |
maraschino cherries
chopped |
* |
1E+2 | grams |
mixed candied peel
|
* |
5E+1 | grams |
almonds
chopped |
|
5E+1 | grams |
pecans
chopped |
|
2.5E+2 | grams |
self-rising flour
|
|
2.5E+2 | grams |
demerara sugar
|
* |
2.5E+2 | grams |
butter
room temperature |
|
5 | large |
eggs
size 1 |
Directions
Six to eight days before you intend to bake the cake, measure out the rum, brandy, cherry brandy, cointreau, water and bitters into a large saucepan.
Then add the spices, sugar, fruit and nuts.
Stir the ingredients together and heat them over a very low heat until the liquid is just moving - DO NOT LET IT BOIL.
Simmer for about 15 minutes. Tip the mixture into a mixing bowl or other glass or china container and allow it to cool completely.
Cover the bowl with a double layer of clingfilm and place in the refrigerator or a very cool place.
Stir the mixture from time to time during the next few days.
Six to eight days later, preheat the oven to 275 F.
Cream the butter and sugar together and fold in the flour and beaten eggs.
Add the fruit mixture a little at a time until it is evenly blended.
Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin, level the top and bake in the preheated oven for about 3½ to 4 hours.
If you think the cake is becoming too brown, place a double thickness of greaseproof paper over the top of it as protection.
When the cake is quite cold, wrap it in greaseproof paper first then either place it well in a plastic cake box or wrap it in silver foil.
This cake will keep for a few weeks.