Christmas cakes - how early?

[RuggerHug]

Hi, just want to check with some more experienced bakers here. I have (probably stupidly..) said I’d do the Christmas cake this year, normally it’s DM department! I also said since I was doing that I’d do one for one of my friends to take home to her family. I’m just wondering how early people do them. Most stuff I’ve found says 2 months before or earlier if possible? Is it possible to do them too early? I seem to remember them being mixed one of the first weekends after we went back to school as DCs but can’t be too sure. Would September be ok? Thanks in advance :)

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I make mine in October half term because then DC are around to help, but earlier is fine, it will mature!

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

You can even make them a year in advance

[RuggerHug]

Oh wonderful, thanks a mill

[Fluffycloudland77]

Do it now & feed with brandy every week. It will taste so much better than shop bought.

I might do one, only I like it so it will be very small.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

My Nanna used to make next year's cake this year ifyswim. Then she fed it brandy lovingly all year until the following Christmas. "This" year, we ate the one she made "last" year...

[Letustryagain]

For the last couple of years I've had to make 3 x 6 inch cakes (My parents, Inlaws and us). Normally I leave it too late and do it the beginning of December but last year I did it in August!! Apparently both timescales tasted great (I don't eat it...).

[RuggerHug]

They're being made next Sunday! my sister and 2 of our friends are coming over with their Christmas knitting so we can all enjoy the smell of the cakes going through the house with seasonal crafting (don't know how to do the santa hat smiley so just imagine it here). Thanks all!

[sooperdooper]

I usually try and do it in September :)

[NarcyCow]

Oh no.

Every year I make christmas cake, decide it's more hassle than it was worth, and that I'm not doing it again. Then I start to crack and come Halloween, I do it again, and end up regretting it again.

I can feel it starting...

[NotAsYoungAsIWas]

I start to soak the fruit for my cake in September, but any time is good

[Muddlewitch]

I want to do my own this year but wasn't sure when to do it so watching with interest! I might aim for October I think.

I've seen the Mary Berry recipe recommended a couple of times, does anyone else have a go-to?

[NotAsYoungAsIWas]

Muddlewitch
For the last few years I've made Delia's 'Whiskey Dundee Cake' but I marzipan and ice it rather than cover it with nuts and a glaze. It's slightly crumblier than a traditional Christmas cake and lighter in colour. I've also used her 'Traditional Christmas Cake' recipe before but the family prefer the Dundee

[Muddlewitch]

That sounds perfect Notas thank you.

[coldofhands]

September here, fairly early on in the month. I get the fruit soaking in a very boozy sugar syrup then make the cake early November, feed it regularly with brandy and ice in December.

[oldlaundbooth]

Eeek!

This thread is my green light for Christmas cake making!!

[OllyBJolly]

I make mine second week of October which was our school holidays (and probably still is but DCs now in their 20s!) I usually make about 6 cakes a year.

But last year, I was a bit overwhelmed with one thing and another. I cheated and bought Lidl fruit cakes, fed them regularly with brandy, marzipanned and iced them. Not one person remarked on it, other than MIL who said she preferred that size!