What sort of sherry to soak fruit for Christmas cakes?

[lucysmam]

Just that...am a bit by the choices - medium, dry, fine ??

Brandy

Whatever is in the cupboard…...

okey dokey then, I'll just pick one!

Brandy!

I favour whatever is cheapest in the supermarket at the time plus a bit extra for DH to guzzle

I usually use jack daniels to soak the fruit in as I usually have that in anyway. I'm told it tastes lovely, I wouldn't know as I can't stand fruit cake even if it is soaked in booze.

Anything cheap and cheerful, sweeter rather than dry, or cooking brandy very good too, anything you've brought back from your holidays and aren't too keen on.

You will need to consumer test it all before using it of course, lateral tastings etc. This can take days if done thoughly. [thigrin]

If you will be soaking the fruits before making the cake you will get the flavour but not the alcohol once it's baked. Something medium to sweet. Don't use fino sherry as that is dry. Supermarket own brands are very good these days.

I sent dp out for the booze last year and he came back with sherry (vermouth was his first attempt ).

I got loads of compliments but had no idea what he actually bought. I'll have a look what sweet ones are about (never thought booze would confuse me )

I use either rum or brandy. Always add a third stewed tea as well.

Pedro xihminez sherry might have spelt it wrong it's really nice. About 6 quid a bottle. Nigella uses it in hers she is my idol! ??????

I use the cheapest whisky I can get.

I wouldn't be allowed to use one of DH's precious single malts

Cheap brandy, and tea.

Might try bourbon this time - sounds interesting and unlike cheap brandy, I could also drink it

I do one with brandy (raisins, sultanas, figs, cherries, cranberries etc) and another with spiced rum (raisins, sultanas, mango, pineapple, papaya). Despite intensive and annual research, we can't decide which we like the best....

Just use what you have. I didn't want to buy a bottle of sherry in just for my Mary Berry recipe this year so used the ancient rum in the cupboard instead. I read it can be just as good so we'll see!

Fresh orange just as good as alcohol & cheaper. You can always give the cakes a drink using alcohol before marzipan & icing.

Cherry brandy is quite good for 'feeding' the baked cake.

Saigon the only booze in the house is a glass of wine, one can of Stella and a bottle of Bailey's-alike from lidl so need to buy specifically for the cakes.

I also came on to say Pedro Ximenez from sainsburys. I don't think I've seen it anywhere else, but it is brilliant.

Has anyone tried using amaretto? I usually use brandy, sherry or rum but I've had a search and we've no other spirits in the house. I thought maybe half amaretto, half tea? Would that be odd?!

I think amaretto and tea would work.

Thanks! I've got the fruit soaking in the tea and amaretto mix now. Smells very nice!

ooh, I like amaretto!

I haven't tried it in Xmas cake, but in this year's mincemeat I put a large quantity of triple sec that was left over from a bladdered merry evening of cocktails with friends.
It's orange flavoured and worked beautifully!

I'm soaking mine tonight and no idea what to use. I have a choice of:

Spiced rum
Amaretto
15yr old dark rum (which is BEAUTIFUL. Not sure if it would be wasted on a cake)
Normal, cherry and honey bourbons
Triple Sec
Whisky

My top contenders are spiced rum or amaretto but I can't decide