Fruit Cake

[jambuttie]

Hiya

I want to make a fruit cake but not sure how.

Hubby gets me to do banana loaf for his work at least twice a week and about 3 at a time.

I want to do something different for them and I remember my mum doing fruit cake when I was young and it was quite tasty.

She used to soak her fruit in tea though so not sure if thats the norm

Can anyone help me?

I need a sort of quick recipe as I bake inbetween sorting the boys

bump

Delia has a creole christmas cake which is mainly fruit - she soaks it in alcohol, but you could easily soak yours in tea, orange juice or something.

the soaking fruit in tea thing sounds like barm brack - hang on I might have a recipe around somewhere...

I found 2!

Barmbrack, Bairin breac

First stage

Mix together:
1 cup of sultanas
1 cup of raisins
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup cold tea

Cover these ingredients and leave to soak overnight.

Stage Two

Prepare these ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 level teaspoon of baking powder
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon mixed spice

1. Add the four, baking powder and spice to soaked fruit mixture.

2. Mix in the beaten egg.

3. Spoon into a well greased loaf tin and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit).

4. When cool brush the top with warmed honey for a glazed surface.

and this one which I'm sure I got from Mumsnet!

This one is fool-proof!
To make two 1lb fruit loaves.....
Ingredients:
6oz Sugar
6fl oz Water
6-8oz Raisins
4oz Margarine
1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
2 Eggs well beaten
8oz Self-raising flour

Method:

1. Put Sugar, Water, Raisins, Margarine & Bicarbonate of Soda in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Boil for 15 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and leave for a few minutes until cool.
4. Add the well beaten eggs, then add the flour.
5. Divide mixture between 2 1lb loaf tins lined with greaseproof cases.
6. Bake in the oven Gas mark 4, 180C, 350F for 40 minutes (reduce heat for fan assisted ovens)

Easy as that!

HTH

thanks folks