Cathedral Christmas Cake Recipes

CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Method.
• Heat oven to 130°C (120°C fanbake), with rack just below the middle. Completely line a 20 or 30cm ring pan, or two medium-sized loaf pans with baking paper or liners.
• Measure out the nuts, cherries and crystallised and dried fruits into a large container, putting some aside for decorating the top. Cut up large pieces of fruit, but leave some long thin pieces if desired, especially if using melon strips (which give a wonderful colour).
• In a large bowl mix eggs, sugar and vanilla. Mix in the sifted flour, baking powder and salt until smooth. Add nuts and fruit and mix thoroughly by hand.
• Press evenly into the prepared cake pan/s (if pan is lined with baking paper coat evenly with non-stick spray just before use). Press reserved cherries, fruit and nuts into the top for decoration (if adding strips of crystallised fruit, put them in place after adding part of the cake mixture, then cover with remaining mixture). Bake for two to three hours until cake feels firm when pressed in the middle. Cool, remove from pan and peel away liner/s. Brush all over with rum, brandy or whisky. Brush the top with a light coating of oil for a shine. Store at room temperature in greaseproof paper, or refrigerate in a plastic bag. This cake will keep well for several months (after long storage, brush again with spirits and leave 24 hours or longer before eating). Cut in thin slices with a sharp serrated knife.

CATHEDRAL WINDOW FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Cut pineapple and dates into coarse pieces. Mix with whole cherries in large bowl. Sift flour, baking powder and salt over fruit, mixing with hands.
• Beat eggs well. Gradually beat in sugar. Combine with fruit mixture.
• Add pecans, mixing with hands until uniformly mixed with fruit.
• Use vegetable shortening to grease 2 9x5 inch loaf pans. Line bottom and sides with parchment paper. Then grease paper. Pack batter into lined pans.
• Bake at 275 on middle shelf for 1 1/2 hours. Do not overbrown. Turn out onto racks. Remove paper. Cool and store airtight.
• Let ripen several days or up to 2 to 3 weeks. Slice thinly to serve.
• TIPS:.
• Use kitchen sheers, dipped in water, to cut dates and pineapple. Prepare fruit ahead, if you wish. Pack in separate plastic bags; store in cool, dry place (Not freezer or refrigerator) Two 9-inch ring molds can be used in place of the loaf pans. Make cake a few days ahead to serve it at its best. Do not foil wrap fruitcakes. Acid fruits often cause holes in foil. Use plastic wrap or waxed paper. Store in airtight contained for ripening.