Giving brandy soaked Christmas cake to the DCs?

[Makido]

MIL makes an amazing Christmas cake for us each year and gives it to us early November. DH then enthusiastically feeds it brandy and whisky each week.

I wondered this evening if the DCs (both under 4) should eat any given there's probably a good 20 or so measures of alcohol it now with a couple of weeks to go. It's fairly big, maybe 16 to 18 adult size portions. DH feels the alcohol somehow goes somewhere and therefore isn't a problem and also that they would have such small slices anyway that it doesn't matter. I think the idea that the cake is anything other than alcohol filled now is bullshit but I might agree that if the slice is small enough the amount of alcohol is negligible (though it might have to be mouthful sized slices!). Thought I'd put it to the MN jury. Can the DCs have the cake?

Someone else asked this and it was a resounding yes.

I grew up in the 70's, we were given actual sips of alcohol, as well as brandy soaked puddings.

The alcohol goes into the cake. It isn't heated again so doesn't burn off, unlike the alcohol included in the mix before baking.
Personally I wouldn't give it to children under 4. That's what Yule log's for.

Yeah, let them have a bit of cake, it'll be fine.
If you really are concerned, just buy a cheapy iced fruitcake slice from the supermarket. They won't know the difference.

I wouldn't, it's not burnt off.

I wouldn't at all. It's unnecessary.

It was alright in our day.
^ not good enough for me.

My 4 year old DS had Christmas pudding last year. It was boozier than we realised. He got all giddy and slid off his chair. No harm done, but we’ll be avoiding this year!

I would try the cake 1st and see how alcoholic it is before letting kids have a sliver.

Will they actually like the cake? I’ve never known any young children actually want to eat Christmas cake.

I didn't like Christmas cake until I was an adult. Yule log was yummy though.

I've fed mine so much in the past that I could actually feel the effects of eating a slice. Bollocks does it magically 'go somewhere'.

I wouldn't give it to small children. In fact it's against the law to give alcohol to children under five anyway!

I wouldn’t have an issue with offering it, but I doubt they’d like it!

I would only give them a tiny bit though.

I make a boozy one and my DC have had a piece since they were toddlers. It never had any effect on them - although it might have been nice if it had made DC2 sleep a bit better....

Are there actual real life children that like Christmas cake?!

I would. I only feed my cake a tablespoon every week or 2 for about 5 weeks. The amount in each slice must be miniscule.

Chewbaca DH puts 2 or 3 capfuls in each time. Seems quite a lot to me.

Trying it first makes sense and maybe let them try a bite with their own cheap one on standby if they like it. I've now been told that the older DC enjoyed a slice of MILs last year but she probably didn't feed it quite as much as DH.

I'm glad the consensus seems to be with me that the alcohol very much remains in the bloody cake!

Lol sorry for the name fail Chewbecca

No, I wouldn’t be giving my children alcohol.

Are there actual real life children that like Christmas cake?

Oh yes. My 5yo adores Christmas cake. I’ve made this year’s much less boozy as a result. Fruit soaked in tea and sparing feeding with sherry instead of the usual brandy.

Why waste it on small children? Eat it yourselves!

I’m impressed!!

My 5 yo loves Christmas cake. I'd let him have some. I'll be trying it for supper if itl make him sleep better!

I would as I don't see it causing damage, but fair enough if you don't want to. Everyone makes their own judgment calls on this.

Maybe not for breakfast.