Christmas cake, first time help please

[Solongtoshort]

I came to the shops and had a sudden urge to bake a Christmas cake. Never done it before please help. What else do l need? Also what measurements and how long do l need to cook it for please.

I have bought

Alcohol soaked fruit
Plain flour
Butter
Eggs

Should l go back and get cherries and orange juice? It would of been cheaper and less fuss to buy a pre maid one but l have these things now.

I would love some advice. Thank you

I always use delias recipe, just have a google. Like tin and you need double layer of brown paper round outside of tin and on top. Baking takes 3.5-4.5 hrs so plan on being home for a bit! Don’t remove from tin until completely cold.

*line

Don’t bother with cherries and juice IMO

You’ll need mixed spice tho

Brown sugar

Are you covering with marzipan? Icing? You need that too if thst the way you want to decorate it. If not marzipan and icing (fondant or get royal 8ci g sugar), what are you going to put on top?

I have nutmeg and cinnamon and some all spice but l am not sure if the all spice is the correct one for cakes. Hmm l do like that recipe so lm going to use that.

Hi OP, I love baking Christmas cakes this is the recipe I used the first time I made one.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2607642/make-and-mature-christmas-cake

I think you have left it a bit late to make a traditional one as it takes time to mature and dry and you do need lots of ingredient, but I think with what you've got you could make a "Christmassy" cake. How much of each ingredient have you bought? Do you also have some baking powder?

Nutmeg and cinnamon will be fine. Dont put in allspice.

Ignore me OP, sounds like you're sorted!

Another vote for Delia. I printed her recipe off the Internet years ago and always use it.

If you make a Christmas cake next year, I'd recommend doing it earlier (I often make mine in October half term) and then regularly feed it. Unlike most cakes, Christmas cakes really do improve with age.

I never put orange juice in it can cause fermentation.

Thanks all it’s beautiful , tomorrow l will put marzipan and icing on and l have gold flowers and balls with gold ribbon.