Soaking fruit for Christmas cake and pudding..

[Riotgrrrl]

Hi

Just about to start preparing dried fruit (a bit late this year!), I wanted to soak the fruit but this year don't really want to use rum or brandy as pregnant and it will only worry me! (not likely to cause fas, I know but will panic)

Any suggestions as to what to do instead?

Water! Or orange/ apple juice. I suggest microwaving to speed up the soaking process...

You're not the only one who's late. I've literally just put my cake in the oven.

I'd suggest using apple or orange juice, maybe with a good slug of vanilla essence. A quick blast in the microwave will also help accelerate the soaking process.

The Rochester Ginger wine (non alcholic) you buy in health food stores is also a great alternative, I mix it with rum & spices & keep a big kilner jar of fruit & nuts soaking all year, so I always have some ready - but I wouldn't worry too much about the alcohol, the heat from cooking burns it off & you are just left with the flavour, not the alcohol, same with if you pour your rum or brandy soak over the cake & then leave in a low oven - it not only speeds up the soaking, but makes it non alcoholic too