Boiled Fruit Cake
Pre-heat oven to: 160°C/325°F/Gas 3
Time in oven: 1hr 15mins – 1hr 30mins
Makes: 20 slices
Ingredients
1 lb 2 oz/500g dried mixed fruit
5 fl oz/150ml sherry or brandy
½ pint/300ml water
4 oz/110g butter
2 tblsp golden syrup
5 oz/150g dark brown sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tblsp boiling water
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
5 oz/150g S.R. flour
5 oz/150g plain flour
½ tsp mixed spice
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla essence
blanched almonds to decorate
Method
1. Soak fruit overnight in sherry or brandy.
2. Place soaked fruit, water, butter, golden syrup and sugar in a saucepan.
3. Slowly bring to the boil. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add bicarbonate of soda mixed with water.
5. Add eggs, mixing thoroughly.
6. Fold in sieved flours, spices and vanilla essence.
7. Place in a lined 8″/20cm diameter cake tin
8. Decorate with almonds and bake in oven.
9. Allow to cool in tin for a few minutes before transferring to cooling tray.