This recipe will make a three-tiered cake, or several loaves. Our own version specifies 4 small loaf pans (about 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" on the bottom) and the small and medium square pans (4" x 4" and 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"), because those are the pans we have handy. The main thing is not to fill the pan more than 2/3 full, so you can experiment to find the perfect mix of pans for your cake. If this recipe makes too much cake for your family, simply halve the quantities.
Preparing the pans: The day before baking the cake, prepare the pans. To keep a crust from forming on the bottom and sides of the cake, the pans are lined with brown paper. Using the pan as a pattern, cut out two layers for the bottom and one for the sides. Grease the paper next to the cake.
Preparing the fruit: The evening before we want to bake the cake, we put on some Christmas carols and gather in the kitchen to prepare the fruit. You’ll need a large bowl or pot to put the fruit mixture in. Dredging means sprinkling flour over the fruit while you stir it. This coats the fruit with flour, and helps it to spread evenly through the cake. If you like a brandy flavor, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of brandy over the fruit before you dredge it.
Prepare the following fruit. Wash the raisins and currants, and pick them over to remove any stems.
3 1/2 cups currants
4 cups seeded raisins, halved
4 cups seedless raisins
1 cup red maraschino cherries, chopped
1/2 cup green maraschino cherries, chopped
1 3/4 cups chopped dates
900 gms (2 lbs) mixed glace fruit
2 cups blanched almonds, silvered
1 cup pecans, chopped
Dredge the prepared fruit with:
1 cup of flour
Before going to bed, take out the butter and eggs so they will be at room temperature the next day.
When you are ready to mix the cake, put the carols on again. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Put a pan of water in the oven to keep the cakes moist.
In a large bowl, sift the following together three times (it’s a Christmas cake, so we take extra care!):
4 cups white flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
4 tsps cinnamon
2 tsps allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
In another large bowl, cream together:
450 gms (1 lb) butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups white sugar
Blend in:
1 tbsp lemon flavoring
1 tbsp almond flavoring
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 cup thick, sour cream
Add one at a time, beating after each addition:
10 eggs
You might have to add a little of the flour mixture as you go to keep the eggs from curdling.
If your bowl isn’t big enough to combine the egg mixture with the fruit, transfer the egg mixture to a large container (we use our roast pan). One person drops the fruit in, a handful at a time, while somebody else stirs.
As the fruit is being stirred in, add:
1/2 cup thick strawberry or mulberry jam
1/3 cup fruit juice or brandy
Don’t forget to let everyone in the household have a good luck stir. When the batter is thoroughly combined, fill the pans about two-thirds full. Use the scrapings from the mixing bowl (or pan) to cover the tops of the cakes so no fruit is poking through.
Put the cakes in the oven. After two hours, remove the water. Small pans will take from two and a half to three hours to cook; larger pans may need four hours. When the cake is done, it will not look wet in the middle, and a straw or toothpick inserted into the cake will come out clean.
Set the cakes, still in their pans, on a rack. After they have cooled a little, turn the cakes out and carefully peel off the paper. Leave the cakes on the rack until they are completely cool.
It would be cruel to fill the house with the smell of Christmas cake, and not let anybody try it, so our smallest cake, the ‘taster’, is traditionally served for dessert that night. Purists may sniff that the flavor hasn’t had time to develop; be that as it may, there is never any left over!
The rest of the cakes are wrapped for storage. Some like to wrap the cakes in cheesecloth and moisten them with brandy or rum. We wrap our cakes in waxed paper and tinfoil, and store them in an earthenware crock. Any cool, dry place will do. The cakes will be delicious at Christmas time, and will keep for months, maybe even years!
Merry Christmas to all, and greater happiness in the year ahead.
