Feeding a Christmas cake - how long, how often, how do you know?!

[mistermagpie]

I made two Christmas cakes about two weeks ago. Never made one before so I'm hoping they turn out nice but I'm confused about feeding. Some online sources alarm to say you can feed it for months but my friend (who's recipe I used) says she only does it for three weeks.

So what are you doing? How often? And how will I know when it's ready to be iced?

Any advice gratefully received!

I'm feeding every two weeks or so. I think you can ice it close to when you'll eat it, then it keeps long after that.

I feee mine weekly up until 2 weeks before I want to ice it.

*feed

I fed mine the day after I made it & then once a week for the following 2 weeks, so 3 times total. Then it's just put to one side until a week before Christmas when I marzipan/ice it.

This year I made the Creole Christmas cake which Delia says doesn't need feeding because it's got a lot of booze in it but it hasn't stopped DH from feeding it when he wants, about fortnightly.

I feed it when I remember, usually get around to icing it on Boxing Day, and start eating it at New Year....

What do you feed your cake if you expect children to want to eat some? My DD is 3 and loves raisins and cake, so I imagine she might be hovering...

@ChristmasSeacow my parents always fed the cake with booze when I was growing up! Different times! I don't know that you necessarily need to feed it, but maybe tea? Or orange juice (although that might make it too sweet).

Oh god, this makes me feel bad. We feed ours a few times a week. 😳 It's always very moist. 😬

A couple of teaspoons of brandy every couple of weeks is more than enough - no exact science!

I think it’s down to personal preference.

As it happens I’ve just been reading about this and it said once after baking and then four to five times more, which ties in with making it in late November.