Best Christmas cake recipe

[cashmerecardigans]

Hi
Can anyone recommend a good recipe? I tried the Mary Berry one last year - it wasn't great but I did make it quite late, which probably didn't help.
Any ideas?
Thanks

delia, but with at least twice as much booze for soaking the dried fruit

Delia.

I always use this one:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2607642/make-and-mature-christmas-cake

Really really good. Made it three times and it's always a hit. No soaking required, you heat the fruit and liquid up, add the dry ingredients and then mix.

I use the nigella one from domestic goddess but I swap the marmalade for treacle. Nigella has a chocolate fruit cake which is good for last minute.

I use the one out of this book and it always goes down really well.

Great, I'll dig out my ancient delia and give it a go. Do you all normally soak the fruit for ages? Also whisky or brandy??

I use the rich fruit cake recipe from The Dairy Book of Home Cooking (it's an old book but has all the best recipes)

Delia's Classic Christmas Cake. Made mine 3 weeks ago I'm embarrassed to say. I'll feed it every month but it keeps beautifully. Also her Creole Christmas Cake. Very moist. I often make Nigella's Chocolate Fruit Cake. It keeps for at least 3 months. Again I feed it regularly. With each one I add my own touch, say cranberries and chopped apricots and chopped Brazil nuts, but keeping to the total combined weight. I cook them on a lower heat, for longer. I've never had a burnt cake yet and they don't seem to dry out.

Delia with a lot more brandy, a lot more nuts and cherries. I have never needed to cook it for as long as she states.

Always delia, 3 months before Christmas and with plenty more brandy than she suggests for soaking the fruit

Delia says to soak the fruit 24 hours in advance but then the recipe originates in the Seventies IIRC. I accelerate the process by putting the fruit in a bowl with the brandy, covering with clingfilm and microwaving (I don't cook, merely defrost) for a few minutes.

I've been known to soak mine in half a bottle for 3 days (and maybe add rum too)

www.wrightsflour.co.uk/recipe.aspx?recipeid=15 love this one - made with Carrot Cake Mix from larger Sainsbury's made up with prune juice which really enriches the flavour before any further additions (don't knock it 'till you have tried it). Useful for any celebration really www.wrightsflour.co.uk/recipe.aspx?recipeid=15

Thanks everyone. I might try the Nigella chocolate one as it might appeal to more people. I love making the Christmas cake but seem to end up with a lot left over.
I'll up the alcohol content too - never a problem in this house

I too use delia, and I knock at least half an hour off the time. And a bit more booze, yep

Another vote for delia here. Never failed me yet and last year I made 5 of them to give to other people. I use rum in it and prepare it the day before I want to make it. Normally do them all over the October half term.

Delia too but you don't need to cook it anywhere near the length of time she says.