Grow Your Own Magazine

This is the recipe as I use it. If anyone would like the original I shall post that as well. The original uses less alcohol, is drier and contains nuts and currants. I like nuts but they have never been used in all the time my family has been using this recipe.

Ingredients

8oz plain flour (gluten free is fine)
1 tsp cinnamon (I generally use a heaped one)
1 rounded tsp mixed spice
1/2 lvl tsp powdered nutmeg
1lb 6oz seedless raisins
1lb 6oz sultanas
1 lvl tbsp black treacle or molasses
4oz candied chopped peel or marmalade
4oz glace cherries
8oz butter
8oz soft brown sugar
5 eggs (medium)
2 oz plain chocolate (more for darkness than flavour although you can pick up a very subtle chocolatey flavour if you use v. good quality)
500ml-700ml sherry or your choice

In a stock pan or clean bucket mix together all the dried fruit and add the sherry. In previous years I have used a bottle (70cl) but this year I have used 500ml as I wanted it a little drier. Cover and leave to stand/soak for a minimum of 24 hours (usually 48 by the time I get organised), raisins and sultanas should become nice and plump.

Sieve together dry ingredients.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy then stir in black treacle.
Beat eggs and add gradually to butter and sugar. Do not worry if this "curdles".
Melt chocolate and add to fruit mixture.
Alternately add eggs and flour, mixing well after each addition. I usually start and finish with eggs.
Turn into a greased and double lined 9 inch cake tin.
Bake in the centre of a very moderate oven (325-350F/160-170C/Gas Mk3) for 1-1 1/2 hours then reduce heat to 275-300F/140-150C/Gas Mark 2 for a further 1 1/2-2 hours.

Allow to cool completely before removing from tin. Store in airtight tine until required then marzipan/decorate etc.

I usually use this recipe to make 2-3 smaller cakes but find they sometimes take a little longer and I generally test with a skewer to check they are cooked because things tend to catch in my oven!

Happy eating

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Fantastic!!
Thanks for that Earthbabe!

Excellent. Thanks for that Earthbabe. I probably wont do it this year but am always on the lookout for recommended repcipes like this. it's going straight in the file!!!!

Thanks Earthbabe! I will surprise my family and make one! I always end up so far behind at Christmas that I buy a small one and always regret no having made one sooner.

Thanks for that Earthbabe - my daughter has Coeliac disease so she can't eat the cake I normally do and when I tried a recipe I had for one with gluten free flour it was yuk, so I'll do this one for the whole family

You've reminded me it's time to make the cake Earthbabe! Usually I make one about this time and feed it little and often with brandy. For the keeping properties, of course! Your recipe looks fab.

Earthbabe it looks delicious! If its anywhere near as nice as your green tomato chutney - then FAB! IF it carrys on raining like it is at the present moment - may well spend tomorrow in the kitchen making your cake! Thanks DDL

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Mr Dobby always makes our two Yule cakes, with a similar sort of recipe, he usually makes them at the end of October, but already has the fruit soaking in alcofrol!

I am very fortunate that in his family it is the men who do the baking, his dad is a brickie, and loves to bake, and Lee takes after him, so I get away without baking!! He's very good at it too!

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Blessings
Suzanne (aka Mrs Dobby)

'Garden naked - get some colour in your cheeks'!

The Dobby's Pumpkin Patch - a blogspot work in progress!
Last updated 26th November2008 - more new piccies!

Although I love cooking (bet you didn't guess!) I do prefer doing "meaty" dishes rather than baking - but am willing to give it a go! DDL

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Lol DDL! Same here, I lurve to cook, especially asian / chinese / italian / chilli's etc, but baking just isnt my thing! Thankfully Mr Dobby does that! I must have him well trained or something!

__________________
Blessings
Suzanne (aka Mrs Dobby)

'Garden naked - get some colour in your cheeks'!

The Dobby's Pumpkin Patch - a blogspot work in progress!
Last updated 26th November2008 - more new piccies!

My OH does the "man thing" BBQs! mind you, he is b****y good! DDL (I'm in the back ground doing the garlic bread, salads, jackets, coleslaw etc etc!)

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Ooh Mrs D I'd love the recipe for the Yule cakes please.

Birdie Wife - we do the same and that's Mr E's job although we seem to go through a lot of brandy to do it. Hic!

__________________
Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

I have a fab xmas pud recipe if anyone wants it?

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smiling is infectious....

http://www.thehudsonallotment.blogspot.com/ updated 28th May 2008

yes please Vicky! DDL

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

I'll get mr Dobby to post it later / tomorrow, its his own recipe, so only fair it comes from him!

We did have it on our website, but lost it when the computer had to be fdisked after messing up, and the data disappeared when I downloaded a copy from the hosts isp!

We also feed the cake little and often with brandy after tis made, keeps it lovely and moist, tho wouldnt advise driving after eating more than a slice or two! Hic!

__________________
Blessings
Suzanne (aka Mrs Dobby)

'Garden naked - get some colour in your cheeks'!

The Dobby's Pumpkin Patch - a blogspot work in progress!
Last updated 26th November2008 - more new piccies!

Yum, Sounds like a recipie i just have to try, nice and easy and lots of yum ...... Could i have your recipie too please vicki ?? and cant wait to hear yours also Mrs Dobby...


I love this forum ... lots of growing and eating ....Mmmmmmm

Nat