Christmas Rich Fruit Cake Recipe

PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes
COOKING TIME: 1.5 hours
MAKES: 1 small cake 8 inches diameter

INGREDIENTS
1 or 2 cups brandy
2 oz dark raisins
2 oz golden raisins
2 oz currants
2 oz mixed dried fruit
2 oz chopped dates
1 large pinch cinnamon
1 large pinch nutmeg
1 large pinch dried orange peel
4 oz butter (room temperature)
2 oz brown sugar
2 oz molasses
2 oz dark unsweetened chocolate
3 eggs
3 oz white baking quality flour
3 oz whole wheat baking quality flour

METHOD

1. Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees F
2. Add brandy, raisins, currants, mixed fruit, chopped dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried orange peel to a saucepan and boil vigorously until most of the brandy has evaporate. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter, brown sugar, and molasses together.
4. Add the three eggs and beat until homogeneous
5. Add the fruit and mix thoroughly.
6. Melt the chocolate in the microwave (or in a glass bowl over boiling water) and add to the mixture. Mix thoroughly.
7. Add flour and beat mixture. Do NOT add baking powder
8. Line a round cake tin with baking parchment, pour in mixture (it’s very thick) and spread out to edge of tin
9. Bake for 1.5 hours at 250 degrees F. Check by piercing with a sharp knife. It should come out clean. If it doesn’t, return to the oven for another 10 to 20 minutes
10. EAT and ENJOY!