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Original poster

Christmas cake anyone?

163 replies

ContessasGulagSpaDay · 22/09/2018 15:07

I'm making mine as we speak (vegan version of Delia Smith's one) and the brandy fumes are rendering me a little giddy!!

Who else makes their own? I was wondering if it was a dying tradition but DH thinks it's fairly common. Answers on a postcard please?

I'm not even sorry about posting this in September, my cake needs the frequent brandy baths maturation time Grin

OP posts:
DeathByChocolate1714 · 23/09/2018 20:30

How long do you bake the cake made in the sweetcorn tin? TIA

MinecraftHolmes · 23/09/2018 20:42

Sweetcorn tins (standard 300ish gram tins from Aldi) - Give them 1 hour before checking them at 140C in a fan oven. I still double line the tins and put a little paper circle with a vent hole over the top like I would for a big cake, and then give the outside of the tins a brown paper collar.

bananasandwicheseveryday · 23/09/2018 20:44

I make mine using a Good Housekeeping recipe that is at least 40 years old. Not only does it make the most wonderful cake, but the recipe is given for tin sizes from 6" to at least 12" , round and square, so when making a tiered cake, they are consistent in flavour. These days, I make it in a large loaf tin as dcs are not at home to eat it.

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redshoeblueshoe · 23/09/2018 21:15

I agree with Wobble the simmer and stir cake is great, and Mnerxx try making your own marzipan it's so much better than anything shop bought 🌟

goose1964 · 23/09/2018 21:31

I'll start mine in the next couple of weeks, based on Delia but omitting the treacle and I soak the fruit for a week

Proseccoagain · 23/09/2018 21:36

I always made one as DH loved it, but always forgot to eat it. Decided I wouldn't last year as we usually had to throw half of it away. Changed my mind when DH was very ill before Christmas - glad I did because he died in February. Don't think I'll bother this year, none of the rest of the family are that bothered.

spinabifidamom · 23/09/2018 21:53

I’m sorry for your loss.

spinabifidamom · 23/09/2018 22:38

And yes we are hoping to make our own Christmas cake this year. I was planning on having the children assist with it. Will probably start the process tomorrow morning. I found a recipe online I liked. For the past two years I got my partner to make one instead.

BarbaraofSevillle · 23/09/2018 22:56

You're all a bit late are you?

If I'm making one, I usually do it on August BH Monday, reason being that the weather is usually shite and DP is at work and I'm not so I make it then, but not this year as I haven't finished last year's yet.

It's still fine and I'm working my way through it. Not surprising really as people traditionally used to use the top tier of their wedding cake as a Christening cake and that would usually not be needed until a good year after the wedding as a minimum.

Original poster
ContessasGulagSpaDay · 23/09/2018 22:59

Barbara actually you're right, but this is the first weekend that I've had the opportunity to make one! Also, St Delia assures me that fruit cakes are just fine without the maturation time and "they just taste better if they mature a little" Wink so I'm fairly ok with my lax timekeeping!

OP posts:
Bowerbird5 · 23/09/2018 23:25

I make mine in half term but was once known to leave it until end of term and made Delia's mincemeat cake. Different to the usual one but everyone enjoyed it. I used to always make one from a magazine cutting which has all the sizes and is dark,full of fruit and yummy. I have used it to make four/five wedding cakes too. A vicar once said it was the best wedding cake he had ever tasted and he had been to a lot of weddings. I was very pleased with that complement and he got a bit to take home. I also made my mums for several years. I lost the recipe and it isn't the same. So if anyone has an old recipe ( at least forty) from Australian Women's Weekly called the Golden Christmas Cake I would be very grateful. It has ginger and pineapple and is a light cake.
I made Nigellas one year and had to make a second one because everyone ate it before New Year. Last year I made four. Not sure if I have ever made Mary Berry's so might give that a go. I like her and have the big book. My daughter's friend makes lovely vegan ones. Happy baking.

TittyGolightly · 23/09/2018 23:26

Nah. Screw that. I hate the traditional cake. The modern last minute ones are awesome.

MnerXX · 23/09/2018 23:31

Sorry prosecco to hear re your dh

redshoeblueshoe I said to DH re making my own marzipan but was thinking I would be the only one remotely bothered re the homemadeyness of the marzipan and maybe it was a step too far for my first cake but maybe he would actually like it if it’s homemade. He likes almonds but not normal marzipan. It might be worth a shot... hmmm...

AlrightBabby · 24/09/2018 01:22

I usually make mine October half term, I make a HUGE 12" round one, but it never gets cut into until about mid-January when all the other Christmas goodies have gone, we then cut it into strips and double wrap them to store in a massive old tupperware container, it lasts well into May.

I have, however, made my apple liqueur. [santa]

mathanxiety · 24/09/2018 03:41

I am wondering if I could make a really small one this year. I know my DCs won't touch it but I sometimes have a hankering for Christmas cake here in the US, and you can't buy it anywhere. My mum sent me M&S Christmas puddings one year and they were imo the most horrible things I had ever tasted - poisoned with sugar. I have toyed with the idea of making a small Christmas pud too. Love them both but I could only manage to eat one (the DCs wouldn't like pudding either.) I have an Irish friend who has been through the wars this year and it strikes me that she might like something Irish to cheer her up at Christmas... But would it be fair to foist a first effort on her?
hmmmmmm.....

TheObwaldhutte · 24/09/2018 05:35

Prosecco I'm sorry for your loss. The sight of Christmas cake will always have you remembering his love of it.

Cherrysherbet · 24/09/2018 06:05

I love Christmas cake. I used to make one every year, but ate most of it myself! I won't make one this year for that very reason!

Original poster
ContessasGulagSpaDay · 24/09/2018 06:55

I'm sorry Prosecco, I think I missed your post on first read - I'm very sorry for your loss.

OP posts:
doyouneedtoknow · 24/09/2018 11:32

I have made one for the last 2 years and I love it! I make it around mid-November and add marzipan (which I love) and icing in the last week. It's a lovely tradition

WizardOfToss · 24/09/2018 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LBOCS2 · 24/09/2018 14:01

@Bowerbird5, it's not this one is it?

www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipes/golden-fruit-cake-4193

tillytrotter1 · 24/09/2018 14:52

I make Delia's Creole Christmas cake, I start the fruit festering at half term, even though I retired ages ago, and then I forget about it and make the little bit of cake to hold the boozy fruit together mid November usually.
I also make amazing parkin for bonfire night from a very old set of cookery cards, it's wonderful and sticky.
This year I may not make a pudding as no-one except us seem to like it, I may just resort to a bought one.

drigon · 24/09/2018 14:59

I always used the Delia Creole recipe, which is delicious, but haven't made a Christmas cake for a long time. Careful with how long you soak it, though, as I found if I left it longer than the time she suggests there were unfortunate digestive repercussions!

Pixie2015 · 24/09/2018 17:44

I’ve made mine one of my favourite activities each year other than icing it and obviously eating it x

Oly5 · 24/09/2018 18:13

I make the Nigella one from How to Be a Donestic Goddess. In my opinion, it’s the best Christmas cake in the world!

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