How much alcohol do you use in Christmas cake?

[storminabuttercup]

I've possibly f**ked up!

[tooearlymustdache]

how do you mean?

what have you done so far?

[storminabuttercup]

I've just got the fruit soaking, there is possibly 3/4 of a bottle of brandy to 3kg of fruit.....

[storminabuttercup]

Sherry sorry not brandy

[tooearlymustdache]

depending on how long you leave it to soak (i've left it more than a week before), when you're ready to use it, see if there's any liquid left at the bottom of the bowl/whatever - strain it off and bottle it, use it to feed the cake when it's cooked?

[tooearlymustdache]

basically, the amount of liquid LEFT is the problem

if the fruit soaks it up, fine

if there's any left, use it later

hth

[storminabuttercup]

So it's ok? Tis my first! A litre of sherry is a lot!

There's nothing in the bottom of the tub! The fruit is lovely and plump!

I was considering starting again!

You've saved me a fortune! Thanks!

[tooearlymustdache]

TeamEdward

i use the Delia recipe too, and think she's taking the piss at 3 tblspns! i used 1/2 a bottle of amaretto this year

[storminabuttercup]

I'm using my grandmas recipe and it's pre war, it's very vague and worries me a bit!

Unfortunately my grandma is not really able to give me pointers as she seems to forget things, but wanted to do her recip!

[tooearlymustdache]

storm it will be fine, it's really quite difficult to mess up the mix on a christmas cake


one tip though, if it's got a lot of booze in it, make a high collar around the tin before you put it in to bake, it will help stop the edges burning

[Gigondas]

I think the mary berry recipe suggests a fair amount more to soak the fruit in than delia (and its give or take the same amount of fruit). I'll check in a sec for you but agree that if it is soaked in overnight that is fine.

whilst we are discussing this - how often and using how much does everyone "feed"their cake ?

[AmberLeaf]

Ive got a container of soaking fruits that ive had for a vvvvvvvv long time [years] I have been adding to it [fruit and alcohol] each year cos I keep not being arsed to make the cake

I intend to bake my cake this year but the odds are against it

I know it will taste fab when I finally get around to it.

Ive moved house and carried the container with my important paperwork/laptop etc

[Gigondas]

mary berry suggests about 150ml sherry but leaves it for 3 days (its about the same amount of fruit as in the delia recipe). the other recipe I have doesn't use booze but jam/stewed apple to moisten the dried fruit.

[tooearlymustdache]

i feed my cake every time i have a drink so quite regularly once a week

amber that is quite impressive [thumbs up] i've got a tub of 4 yr old mince meat that DH made, in the fridge, it's wonderful, but we only have about a 1/2 dozen mince pies.

you'll be sad to use that fruit, you know, after it's TLC

[storminabuttercup]

I will be soaking till either Sunday or Monday!

I'm wondering if I should miss out the feeding?

As per tradition I'm making loaf cakes, they won't be iced.

Bit of advice, to keep a cut cake fresh keep it in a tupperware container with an apple. My old gran swears by it!

[starfishmummy]

I never ice either. I tend to feed regularly - imo the cake should go "squelch" when it is cut!!

[AmberLeaf]

Tooearly thanks I am actually rather proud of my special container!

You're right though, I think I will actually miss it when I eventually use it.

Ive thought about it, I think ive had it since september 2003 maybe 2004.

Im quite serious about making it this year, but I want to make sure it will be appreciated, I will for sure, but I dont seem to know many people that like that sort of cake!