Non Traditional Christmas Cake No Cherries Recipes

NON-TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAKE - NO CHERRIES

Steps:

• Combine sultanas, currants, and chopped dried fruit in the largest mixing bowl you have. Add the orange zest, juice, crushed pineapple (with juice) and brandy. Mix well.
• Cover and leave overnight to soak, stirring occasionally. (I left this for two days with no problems).
• Turn the oven onto 180 degrees C and toast the almonds until just brown. Remove from the oven, let cool, and add to the fruit mixture.
• Turn the oven down to 150 degrees Celsius.
• Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating to combine. The mixture might curdle but this isn't a problem.
• Stir through the vanilla and almond essences, then add to the fruit mixture with the ground almonds. Stir well to combine.
• Sift the flour, baking powder and spices together. Mix through the fruit mixture. (My grandma told me that a light hand is necessary & not to overmix - otherwise the cake turns out tough & dry - who am I to argue with grandma?).
• Spoon into a prepared baking tin (mine measures 7in x 9in), then bake for 3 hours.
• If the top starts browning too quickly cover with baking paper.
• Remove from the oven after 3 hours and cool. Gently pierce the top of the cake with a skewer in 10-12 places, then trickle over 3T of the extra brandy.
• Wrap in tin foil and baking paper, and store in an airtight tin for 3-4 months. Feed regularly with brandy to keep the cake moist and flavourful.

NO-CANDIED-FRUIT FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add pecans, cherries, pineapple and dates; toss to coat. Beat eggs and orange juice; add to fruit mixture and mix well. Line two 9x5-in. loaf pans with foil and grease the foil. Pour fruit mixture into pans and press down. Bake at 300° for 1-3/4 to 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans. Remove foil. Brush with corn syrup; cool completely.

AS-YOU-LIKE-IT CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Put your chosen dried fruit mixture into a large bowl with your choice of alcohol or tea, citrus zest and juice. Mix well, cover and leave overnight.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter and double-line a deep cake tin - 20cm round or 18cm square - with enough baking parchment to come about 2.5cm above the top of the tin. Wrap the outside of the tin with a few sheets of newspaper, securing with staples or string.
• Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until creamy, then beat in the eggs one by one. Tip in the flour, mixed spice, soaked dried fruit and any liquid from the bowl, plus your chosen nuts, if using. Stir everything together, then scrape into the cake tin. Using the back of your spoon, make a slight dent in the centre of the mixture, then bake for 1½ hrs.
• Reduce oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1, loosely cover the top of the cake with a double sheet of foil or baking parchment, and bake for another 2 ½ - 3 hrs or until a skewer poked right to the bottom comes out clean. Cool in the tin, then lift out and wrap in greaseproof paper or baking parchment. Keep in a cake tin with a tight-fitting lid, or wrapped in a large sheet of foil, in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Open the cake every week or two to feed by poking with a skewer in several places and dribbling over a little more of your chosen alcohol or tea.