Christmas cake and pudding recipe recommendations and tips

[Terramirabilis]

I made Christmas cake and pudding for the first time last year using recipes a friend sent me. The pudding was successful, the cake less so although still fine. I am thinking of trying a different cake recipe this year and possibly a pudding one if anyone has one they really recommend. Also would appreciate any tips re baking the cake as I think I overdid it last year.

I was contemplating going the way of St Delia - is this a good idea?

I've made a Delia Christmas pudding every year for the past 15 and every one has been fantastic.

I used to make a Delia Christmas cake but have done the Nigella one for the past few years and prefer it - bit less dark than Delia's which I personally prefer. Always very, very moist. I don't do the wrapping in brown paper thing and cover the outside of the tin with thick foil instead. Once the top of the cake has gone brown I cover with more foil. I find this works really well and is a lot less fiddly!

The Nigella recipe sounds great. She does tend to include some unusual ingredients sometimes. Does she do that with the cake recipe?

Delias cake for some reason - the cooking time is far too long.
I do line the tin with double layer kitchen paper (greaseproof) and cover the outside with brown paper. Then a sheet of paper ontop with a small hole cut out in the centre.

I use light coloured nuts, white caster sugar and sultanas (no currants/raisins)

I use Amarretto to soak and feed , then in the Delia marzipan recipe.

It turns out light and slightly crumbly which is nice. Half gets iced/marzipanned , half left plain (to eat with Wendsleydale, once my gallbladder goes )

I make Delia's creole christmas cake. It's delicious and lovely and straightforward to make.

I use Nigel Slater's pudding recipe, it's much lighter in colour and taste than a normal pudding.

I use an ancient, traditional Good Housekeeping cake recipe, I think I might give Delia or Nigella a try this year, just for a change.