I love anything with dried fruit in it. I know it’s not the best way to get your 5-a-day but everyone deserves a little treat. This recipe was handed down to me by my grandmother and is at least 40 years old. But, it is so easy and always turns out yummy! I know my little nephew already enjoys baking (and we were out of cake!) So he helped me in the preparation and thoroughly enjoyed the pouring and mixing. Licking the bowl afterwards was obviously the highlight!
When he’s a bit older, we will look at weighing the amounts on digital scales but, for the time being, learning involved counting eggs, waiting for the cake to bake and seeing the mix turn from liquid to solid.
For this cake we used:
· 500g dried mixed fruit (Aldi’s is amazing – includes cherries)
· 250g brown sugar (I use light brown sugar but I’m sure dark brown would be fine, just richer in taste)
· 175 margarine
· 2 large eggs
· 350g plain flour
· 1 cup of cold water
· 5 ml mixed spice
· 7ml baking powder (it actually says a heaped teaspoon so I’m guessing 7ml is about right)
Method
1. Boil the fruit, sugar, margarine and water for 10 minutes.
2. Cool before adding the eggs, which I mix lightly. If you add them too soon, they cook!
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
4. Pour into a greased and lined loose-bottom cake tin.
5. Bake for about 1 ½ hours at 180°, 160° fan or gas mark 4. Keep an eye on the cake – it’s ready when a skewer inserted into the middle, comes out clean.
It’s as easy as that! Why not try your fruit cake the Yorkshire way? Eat it with a slice of cheese – delicious!
Enjoy!
Love Chamomile Baby