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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

When do you start making your Christmas cake?

34 replies

One2Three4Five6 · 18/08/2019 19:57

Just that really...
I LOVE Christmas cake, but have never actually made my own.
I remember my Grandad always making one and 'feeding' it alcohol weeks, or maybe even months before the day itself.
When is best to start the cake?

OP posts:
Solewindow · 18/08/2019 19:58

I normally make ours in mid October, though I usually forget to feed it, it's always very nice though..

jenthelibrarian · 18/08/2019 20:03

Nearest weekend to Guy Fawkes night.
I use the classic Delia Smith recipe, it's not at all difficult, and feed it with brandy until it's time to marzipan and ice.

MoreSlidingDoors · 18/08/2019 20:05

3 days before whenever we’ve decided to do Xmas (so anytime between November and February). I do the bbc good food hot toddy cake or nigella’s chocolate fruit cake. Can’t bear traditional Xmas cake.

Mollyboboff · 18/08/2019 20:06

I make a few throughout the year.
Weighed out the dried fruit and a good slug of brandy today. I cover the bowl in cling film and give it a good shake, tomorrow I'll add more brandy and probably make it by the end of the week.

KipperTheFrog · 18/08/2019 20:09

Septembe to October. I used to make 3 so I'd have 3 weeks of making cakes (soak the fruit in alcohol mid week then make the cake at the weekend). Then they're fed up till decorating just before Christmas. Sadly only 2 to make now so will make them the last weekend in September and first weekend in October.

DuesToTheDirt · 18/08/2019 20:16

October half term, but it would be better done a bit earlier, I just never remember.

MarigoldGlove · 18/08/2019 20:18

Around Bonfire Night because that's when the Grandmother in 'My Naughty Little Sister' says you should make it.

Rustyigloo · 18/08/2019 21:33

Im starting to get the itch to make mine but I'll hold off another month.
No alcohol in mine though but it does get fed with black tea every now and again.

didireallysaythat · 18/08/2019 21:37

Soak the fruit a week or two after school goes back and make the cake at half term.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/08/2019 22:22

My Naughty Little Sister Oooh I used to read these books , I loved them Grin

I make my cake much nearer the time but it's very light so doesn't need much maturing .

I have a half bottle of Aldi Amerretto left so I can soak the fruit a week or so ahead.

And Wendsleydale cheese . Cake+cheese is Heaven

Greyworm · 18/08/2019 22:27

October here :)

Outsomnia · 18/08/2019 22:28

The sad thing is, Christmas is every day now for many apart from the tree and the lights. And that includes Christmas Cake (kids hate it IME).

There is not much magic left now since we (and kids) can have everything we want at the push of a button within budget.

But there we are.

Each to their own and all that.

weaselwords · 18/08/2019 22:38

Late October/early November. Me and my friend have a day making the cake then in December we have a day decorating. We have a good booze and chat whilst doing it so the results can be weird and wonderful!

growlingbear · 18/08/2019 22:40

Bonfire Night.

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 18/08/2019 22:40

October half term

Original poster
One2Three4Five6 · 19/08/2019 08:22

Fab thank you :) I think I shall start mine in the October half term then.
Fingers crossed it turns out okay.
I'm intending on making a lot of my own decorations too, centre pieces for sideboards etc. I have a few ideas, just not entirely sure when I will fit in making them between work & kids (kids can help with a couple of them though tbf)

OP posts:
Longbarn5 · 20/09/2019 21:48

I have put all the dried fruit in brandy (quite a lot if brandy!). Did that in August. Then I will make the cake about half way through October. 10 inch Delia Smith 😁

Rustyigloo · 21/09/2019 07:50

Made mine Thursday. Couldn't hold off any longer. Just have to remember to feed it now every fortnight.

Bowerbird5 · 22/09/2019 09:51

Usually half term as I have time then. Make Delia’s or a very dark Christmas Cake from Woman’s Realm magazine from yonks ago which always has good reviews and My Aust. woman’s Weekly Golden Christmas cake. I think they have change that recipe though as it seems sweeter than it used to be. I would love an old recipe of it. It has lots of tropical fruit and ginger in it and is much lighter. My kids love it. I made three year before last. I didn’t make one last year as we were getting a new kitchen and it wasn’t finished until December 23 rd😳

Toughmonkeys · 22/09/2019 18:17

I usually make my Christmas cake and mincemeat during the October break

Original poster
One2Three4Five6 · 03/11/2019 14:35

My Christmas cake is in the oven! YUM! It looks and smells amazing so far.

OP posts:
SparklingXmas · 03/11/2019 14:37

Remembrance Sunday 😊

everythingisginandroses · 03/11/2019 20:51

I made mine a week and a half ago, much earlier than I usually manage it. I am planning to feed it with Cointreau (Good Housekeeping recipe), wondering whether I should have ignored the suggested volume of Cointreau when soaking fruit and just chucked in half a bottle...

TabithasMumCaroline · 03/11/2019 20:52

Made mine two weeks ago.

beingchampion · 03/11/2019 20:54

Comes out of the oven in 6 minutes.