Made several xmas cakes-some have gone mouldy and they're still very soggy :(

[AnnListersBlister]

I've used the same method as I use every single year and have for over a decade! What's happened? How can I ensure the surviving ones dont' go mouldy too?

I've 'fed' them whiskey which I always do, kept in a dark cupboard as always. They're much more moist than previous years-wonder if just something atmospheric as I have moved house?

Were they completely cold before you wrapped them up to store? I always worry they will get sweaty if I don’t, and they take absolutely ages to cool. And did you feed them before wrapping up? Alcohol on the surface should stop any mould anyway.

I’m so sorry, because I know how much work they are, and how many expensive ingredients they take up. Fingers crossed the remaining ones remain fine. Maybe feed them less often than usual if they seem too moist.

Thank you-yes they were! And it makes no sense that some of them have succumbed and some not. I'll not feed them again. I might freeze them too until the day before xmas.

Was the oven new to you? Might they be undercooked? I’m wrestling with a new oven. It’s a pain.

I'm guessing that it's this. Ovens can vary a lot. Did you do the skewer test to make sure they were properly cooked? Is the cupboard quite cool? Wrapped up well?

My oven is very old! I have had that problem before though, luckily I noticed and cooked them again the following day-I'd NEVER done that before but it worked and they turned out fine. Cupboard is cool and dark, they were wrapped well but maybe just not well enough.