Christmas Cake Dilemma.....Delia or Mary???

[BaconAndAvocado]

Stir up Sunday is looming (sort of) and I usually go Delia but this year.......thinking of making a controversial move towards Mezzer.

Any thoughts?

[Longbarn5]

Been making Delia for years but my 2019 one was really dry. Cooked it too long I think. This year it looked lovely but hubby complaining that it crumbles quite a bit when cut. I might try Mary Berry or other next year. Not heard of Annie Bell. Will look that one up. I make a 10 inch square cake so it is quite large but I might go for 8 Inch square and try a new chef

[ouchmyfeet]

Wondering how all the cakes turned out? My Annie Bell one is delicious, I'm tempted to stick with it next year.

I actually made a Nigella one too for my dad as she helpfully gives the recipe for different tin sizes and it was easier to make a smaller one from her recipe.

[PoulePouletteEternellement]

I'm adapting a Mary Berry recipe - no cherries, probably no nuts. But most importantly, a kilo of dried fruit soaked for weeks in a whole bottle of rum. Usually I'd do this at the house of relatives I'd be spending some of the Christmas period with; this year the soaking fruit is in my larder. I've found myself casting a speculative eye towards it whenever Boris appears looking ever more hangdog I'm feeling in need of something restorative ...

[laughoutquiet]

I've just made the Waitrose kit one... it's brilliant came out perfectly and I have no left over ingredients. Would recommend for those non cake makers!

[TheSandgroper]

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-40069493.html

[Dilbertian]

A cautionary tale.

The first time my sister made a Christmas cake she slightly overdid it on the rum. On the premise that more is better, she soaked the fruit for longer and in much more than the recipe called for, and fed it generously every week from half-term to the end of term. On New Years Day we went over to my dsis and she cut the cake. Whereupon we discovered that the marzipan layer had been completely dissolved by the alcohol.

Apparently half a bottle of rum had gone into an 8" cake!

[goose1964]

I've made Delia's creole Christmas cake this year , it looks ,and smells beautiful.

[fluffiphlox]

My husband always uses Delia - bullet-proof. Can’t vouch for Mary

[ouchmyfeet]

I'm normally a committed Nigella fan but this thread has prompted me to break with tradition this year...

Annie bell's Christmas cake is currently baking in my oven (with much more booze than the actual recipe). I've been meaning to try it for years as everything else I've baked from her baking bible is excellent 🤞🤞

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

This year I added super strength rum to the fruit, several days in advance. The main issue I can see is that there is probably substantially less fruit in the cake than there ought to be now.

[BaconAndAvocado]

This is possibly the most controversial thread I have ever read in all my years on MN 😂😂😂

What have I started ?!?!?!?

Quick Delia aside.......I found her TV Christmas episodes on YouTube yesterday. Definite cosy, comfort watching

I aim to watch one or two next week in a DC free environment.

[TheSandgroper]

Darina but I have to read Maura Laverty every year for comfort.

[timeisnotaline]

dilbertian I can’t - its my mums book! If I remember I can add it on Tuesday

[movingonup20]

I do my own usually but toying with buying one, just not feeling Christmas this year

[Cosmos45]

Also to add I make Damson and Sloe gin and use that to soak the fruit rather than brandy. I put in about 150ml or more rather than the weedy 3 tablespoons..

[Cosmos45]

I am making 10 cakes this year (for friends and family) and I have just completed the initial 4 which are Delia.. I have tried many over the years but this is the most reliable and delicious. I amend a bit here and there (do not add nuts for some cakes etc) but essentially they always come out perfect.

[Dilbertian]

@timeisnotaline

This is all so modern! Does no one do Elizabeth David anymore??

Oh don't torment us! Please show the recipe for the Golden Christmas Cake!

[NationalShiteYear]

@Queenfreak Delia's classic Christmas cake www.deliaonline.com/recipes/occasions/christmas/christmas-cakes-icings-and-toppings/classic-christmas-cake

This is possibly the most controversial thread I have ever read in all my years on MN

[Queenfreak]

Ok- please can someone tell me the best delia one ?

[InTheLongGrass]

Delia's is in the oven right now.
I took one look at 3 tablespoons of brandy for that amount of fruit, and put in three very big slugs. It all got absorbed!

[timeisnotaline]

This is all so modern! Does no one do Elizabeth David anymore??

[Bickles]

DH made ours yesterday - Paul Hollywood recipe

[XiCi]

I've just fed my cake Cointreau and soaked my fruit for days in brandy and sherry. I'll be sozzled

[PilesUpInMyBitsHashtagBrooms]

Joining in with the alcohol anarchists, I soak my fruit in Cointreau. Yum.

I'm sure your cake will be delicious OP

[BaconAndAvocado]

A mixed bunch then!

I think I may stick with Delia. Was talking to my parents today and they were saying how lovely they think my Christmas cake is.

Just as well, the DCs never eat it.

I too soak my fruit in amaretto. Have also used vanilla vodka in the past.