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Christmas

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Original poster

When do you make your Christmas cake?

35 replies

Toddler101 · 15/10/2023 10:05

Is there a day to traditionally make your Christmas cake (like there is stir-up Sunday for Christmas puddings)?

I usually leave it late to do both but want to be organised this year!

OP posts:
Jedstre · 15/10/2023 10:11

I always make mine in Oct half term holidays

00100001 · 15/10/2023 10:12

I don't think there's a traditional too. But do it as early as you can.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheVaricoseVeins · 15/10/2023 10:14

I did mine last weekend, which was a couple of weeks late for me! I don’t think there’s a traditional day - your recipe might recommend an optimum time.

WashableVelvet · 15/10/2023 10:28

I do mine on stir up Sunday as we never make a pudding

Waitwhat23 · 15/10/2023 10:33

I usually do mine late August but was late this year so was mid - September instead.

VeronicaBeccabunga · 15/10/2023 11:38

Nearest weekend to Guy Fawkes for me.
I do syringe copious amounts of booze into it in the following weeks.
Big tradition here is that it gets forgotten about in the xmas flurry and gets marzipanned, by my husband the maths graduate who can work out circumferences and all that shit, and put in the airing cupboard to dry out on about the 23rd December.....

Waitwhat23 · 15/10/2023 12:15

Mine is usually absolutely hoaching with booze by Christmas to the point where my husband asked me last year to chill out a bit with the feeding of it this year.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 15/10/2023 13:18

I plan to put the fruit in to soak the first sunday in November, and make the cake on stir up sunday. I'll certainly have it all done and dusted before advent.

Sourisblanche · 15/10/2023 13:40

Usually first week of November. Think I’m going to get all my Christmas cookbooks out this afternoon and plonk myself on the sofa for a browse Smile

RedHelenB · 15/10/2023 13:41

November

NatMoz · 15/10/2023 13:43

I like doing it on the last weekend of September if I'm not busy.

It's done then so i can focus on other Christmasy stuff!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/10/2023 14:01

Quite late compared to most , I do a light cake (version of Delia's ) with sultanas , white castor sugar and Amarretto . Cherries , almonds , grated lemon/orange not mixed peel . No spices .
I make marzipan (Delia again)

I wasn't going to do one this year as only I eat it , but I might make a small one
I did see a cookery feature on TV they said use the best fruit you can and soak it well . But not to feed it ,

I might shun the dried fruit in Sainsbury and buy some better , And keep part without decoration.

If I do bake one it'll be first weekend in December

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 15/10/2023 14:08

I make a rum cake. It's very moist and rich, and I don't bother with marzipan or icing. We normally make a start on it a few days after Christmas when all the mince pies are gone. The fruit is soaking in the rum now and I will make the cake next weekend. The Christmas pudding mixture is standing now and will be steamed tomorrow. There's enough mincemeat from last year, so I'm not making that this year. Will probably slosh in a bit of extra brandy on Christmas Eve when we make the pies, which my daughter and I traditionally do together while listening to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Radio 4.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/food/recipe46.shtml Rum cake recipe. I make one big one and don't bother separating the eggs.

TeaMistress · 15/10/2023 14:13

Probably not until December. I don't like alcohol and am teetotal so I substitute coffee or tea to soak the fruit in.

Original poster
Toddler101 · 15/10/2023 15:56

VeronicaBeccabunga · 15/10/2023 11:38

Nearest weekend to Guy Fawkes for me.
I do syringe copious amounts of booze into it in the following weeks.
Big tradition here is that it gets forgotten about in the xmas flurry and gets marzipanned, by my husband the maths graduate who can work out circumferences and all that shit, and put in the airing cupboard to dry out on about the 23rd December.....

It's the one that likes marzipan that does the marzipanning in our house. It's the maths graduate that does the baking here!

OP posts:
Original poster
Toddler101 · 15/10/2023 15:58

00100001 · 15/10/2023 10:12

I don't think there's a traditional too. But do it as early as you can.

Is there ever a too early though?

OP posts:
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 15/10/2023 16:05

I think, if you want to do it early this year, you should be doing it about now OP.

My fb feed is full of people showing off their cakes atm.

Original poster
Toddler101 · 15/10/2023 16:10

I think I'll get the ingredients in my next food shop and make it next weekend!

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 15/10/2023 16:16

Sometime during half term for me, which day will depend on when I remember to soak the fruit! I’ve got some annual leave and we’re not gong away so that should, work well. I often forget to marzipan it until after Christmas, last year we just ate it without!

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 15/10/2023 16:17

I usually do it when the clocks change - I have no idea why!

BaconAndAvocado · 15/10/2023 17:22

Usually on Stir Up Sunday which is on 26th November this year, but I’m away on a girls’ weekend so probably the weekend before.

Love making it and all family members get to have a stir of the mixture and makes a wish.

elQuintoConyo · 15/10/2023 18:27

Today is week two of feeding, I made it on the 1st. It's a Delia cake, decorated with blanched almonds. I'm in Spain, I can find marzipan sweets but not plain marzipan to roll, buggered if I'm making it!

I'm helping a curious friend make hers next weekend, and SIL the weekend after. My cake is referred to as El Borracho, and they both want to try making their own this year.

I love the smell as I unwrap it to feed <mmmmmmmm>

LillianGish · 15/10/2023 18:32

I always used to make mine ages ahead - around half term time - and do all the feeding with booze etc. Last year I wasn't going to make one at all then changed my mind (after encouragement from MN) and made one at the last minute (the classic Delia recipe). I soaked the fruit overnight, made it the following day, marzipanned and iced it the day after and then ate it (or at least cut into it) pretty much straightaway. Everyone agreed it was the best cake ever! Planning to do the same again this year. Also I will make it at the start of December so we can start eating it in the the run up to Christmas (another suggestion from the same thread last year). It is much more appreciated and able to take pride of place beforehand rather than during or after the main event when there's loads of other delicious stuff vying for attention. The perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea on a December afternoon when you are starting to feel a bit festive and cosy.

Iamnotaloggrip · 15/10/2023 18:40

I made mine today, it’s actually still in the oven. Smells delish 😋

Redwinestillfine · 15/10/2023 18:51

Next weekend for me! Can't wait 🫷

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