Xmas cake forgotten at the back of the larder.. since last year!!!

[Chardonnay73]

Due to a close family bereavement a couple of days before Xmas last year the Xmas cake was forgotten about and never iced as Xmas was just a blur.
Its been in the larder ever since, I’ve known it was there but just couldn’t face dealing with it as it was a reminder of very sad times. It’s wrapped in baking paper and foil and in an airtight Tupperware container.
Is it worth using this year - it will be the best Xmas cake ever? Or will it kill us all?!

I'd start feeding it again and give it a go! Maybe unwrap it first and check for mould. It could be the best cake ever!

Bin it

Like most rich fruit cakes, it benefits from a maturing period and being fed with some extra alcohol, though in the book it is suggested that the keeping time is 6 weeks and generally we suggest if keeping the cake for longer than this then the cake should be frozen as it will keep for a year.

I think you need to check it over & make sure there's no mould etc & if it's OK then feed it with brandy. It will be delicious.

People traditionally kept the top tier of wedding cakes for the christening cake- they certainly weren't throwing it out after 6 weeks

I believe they are better left for longer periods!

It'll be lovely! Feed it brandy and enjoy....

Six weeks' keeping time? Which book is suggesting this?

I usually make mine end of October so waaay more than six weeks before Christnas! Op I think it will be fine but maybe have a look to check.

I'd still use it

I’m sorry for your loss OP. A particularly poignant time of year for your family now.

Shame to waste if so …

Why not cut out a slice, take a look, maybe a tiny nibble and see what you think. Replace the slice, douse with alcohol, marzipan, ice it and celebrate the life of the one you've lost with the cake and something stronger.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/antarctica-fruitcake-scott-terra-nova

they reckon Scott of the Antarctics fruit cake was still edible 100 years later.

similar recipe but my granny used to have Christmas pudding on a 7 year rotation so they’d eat the one that was made 7 years ago. I remember eating them as a kid and they were amazing. My other granny had to make multiple every year as Grampy would eat them all by June 😂

I've done this before, the cake was amazing. Just feed it lots of booze before marzipan, icing etc

If the cake isn't iced, then slice it, toast it and butter it! Serve with strongly flavoured cheese.

I found half a Christmas cake last Oct. It was the nicest one I've ever made lol.
I fed it a bit more booze and didn't bother taking mazapan or icing off it .
I remember my gran making my wedding cake 36 yrs ago and 1 layer was for the christening. she told me it would last for several yrs .

Feed it, my wedding cake was a fruit cake and we kept the top tier airtight for 3 years, fed it, had it re-iced for DD’s christening and there was nothing wrong with it. It was still delicious.

It will be lovely. I did the same and the ‘old’ cake went a bit like a biscuit and DH raves about it! Enjoy

I have found good Christmas cakes to be like good wine. They age very well. They go dark, rich and luscious. Almost port like. Oh so yum.

Very useful for the forgetful type or the country caterer type who always makes too much.