Delia's Creole Christmas cake - Q's

[BrisaOtonal]

Has anyone made Delia's Creole Christmas cake?

I have the recipe and was about to start the process, however I cannot see anything about how much to make it in advance, ow to feed it weekly etc.

Anyone made it and can share some tips. FYI, I've never made a Christmas cake before, but am an OK baker. Is this too ambitious for a first go?

I don't know off the top of my head but I know i have one of her Christmas programmes recorded where she makes this, I can try and find out which one and if she has more info on it. Or they could be on YouTube?

Also the general guideline(not rule) in my family is you can make them as early as you like as long as you keep feeding them! (Which is how our cakes generally have an entire bottlen of whiskey in them...).

Thanks Rugger,

Have since found the cake on youtube

Still unsure when to start. Delia says feed it every 2 weeks. Also, I have read quite a few times that her cooking times are off. Looking for feedback on how long it took to bake this cake.

You can make any time from now and I feed mine weekly!

I make her traditional rather than Creole one but last year I made a note that it took 30 mins less time and turned it down another 10 degrees too.

You will really need to keep an eye on it, her old recipes were written in the 70s and cookers are more powerful now.

Stupid questions alert!

How do I know it is done? On the video she presses it and it bounces back. Is it that simple? Or do I do the toothpick out clean method.

Also, if I make it now and feed it isn't it going to taste like the carpet under a Weatherspoon's bar stool? Will my DC be able to eat it?

I know I am coming across as high maintenance but quite simply I've run out of gifts to buy the older generation and they are getting a fruit cake.

Just follow what Delia says you can't go wrong. I do the skewer test too, make sure no raw mixture comes out!

I would watch the temperature and definitely check it 30 mins before the end.

It will be better the longer you leave it, I made mine early September a couple of years ago. Dc will be fine with a bit if your worried about the alcohol.

This looks very tasty, I've been making the Nigel Slater puddings for years and this looks like a cake that will go well with them

Do you think I can swap cheery brandy for Creme de Cassis? I only ask because when I looked at the CherryB, there was a bottle of Cassis next to it on the shelf and I have a bottle of that already used for some stupid recipe

I dont see why not
I exchange brandy for orange liqueur in recipes

I love watching her make this recipe - she might as well just say 'pour a shitload of booze in the mixture and top up with more booze each week til Christmas'.

Tempted to make one myself now.

I am actually only doing this because I have a cupboard full of booze that has been used once and it is bothering me. I only drink red wine. Also, everyone over 70 is getting a cake as I just cannot do the old socks, Thornton's and "Grandpa is the best" bauble present anymore.

Another Q. Have any of you done the tin of beans fruit cake? Thinking of doing this as mini presents.

OP do you mean baking in individual size bean tins? If so yes when daughter was in nursery I made this for the craft fair and they worked well. Make sure you line the tin with silicon baking paper as it makes it far easier to get them out the tin
Also I iced the tops with marzipan and then ready roll icing then put a wide ribbon round the sides as it's easier, quicker and looks nice

I put them on cake card circles as it looks pretty and keeps them stable PackitUK Cake Boards Round White 8" Decoration Displays Pack Of 10 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J3T0PJA/ref=cmswwrcppapi_bJiWBbM52VNWC

Miss Cherry, can I please ask

Do I need to adjust baking time for smaller bean tin?
I take it I can use other tins (how thick am I coming across?)
Do I need to remove the lip on top of the tin?

Thanks for the link too X

I opened the tins using a tin opener as you can't get the cake out otherwise and yes much shorter cooking time.
This is very similar to the recipe I used about 20 years ago www.butcherbakerblog.com/2011/10/28/baked-bean-tin-christmas-cake-pt-1/