Christmas cake

[Novella12]

Hello. A very quick question. I’m planning to make my Christmas cake today but I’m also going out for lunch. Can I make the batter before lunch and put it in the oven when I get back, or will there be a problem with leaving it to rest? I’m thinking because it’s a dense cake it might be ok…

Any advice welcome!

Usually this is no problem with a rich fruit cake as they seldom contain a raising agent, that's why you can't leave sponge cakes etc as the raising agent would activate once wet and cake wouldn't rise but not the case with Christmas cake which doesn't really rise much anyway.

Typically, this is not an issue with a dense fruit cake because they rarely contain a leavening agent.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/food_and_recipes/4930704-christmas-cake rainbow obby

I'd cream the butter and sugar, and weigh out everything else this morning, them combine and cook when you get back.
OR, dump it in the oven and go out for lunch.