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Nutrition: Per serving (12)

  • kcal459
  • fat10g
  • saturates2g
  • carbs78g
  • sugars46g
  • fibre4g
  • protein5g
  • salt0.5g
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Method

  • step 1

    The day before you want to bake the cake, combine the raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed candied peel, glacé cherries, orange juice and 100ml brandy in a large bowl. Cover and leave to soak overnight.

  • step 2

    Butter a deep 20cm round cake tin, and line the base and side with baking parchment. Beat the margarine, sugar, treacle and orange zest together in a large bowl using an electric whisk until smooth and fluffy. Gradually whisk in the milk and vinegar (the mixture will split at this point, but will come back together when the dry ingredients are added, so don’t worry). Mix the flour, xanthan gum, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice and cinnamon together in a second large bowl. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry until smooth. Heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2.

  • step 3

    Fold the soaked fruit into the cake mixture until combined, then spoon into the tin and level the top with the back of a spoon. Bake for 45 mins, then reduce the heat to 140C/120C fan/gas 1 and bake for a further 2-3 hrs until the cake is deeply golden and firm to the touch (cover the top of the cake with foil if it starts to darken too much). The cake is ready when a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

  • step 4

    Poke holes all over the top of the warm cake using a skewer, then spoon over 4 tbsp brandy and leave to cool in the tin for 1 hr. Transfer to a wire rack, remove the parchment and leave to cool completely. When the cake is cold, wrap in a layer of baking parchment, then a layer of foil before storing. Will keep in a dry, cool cupboard for up to three months, or in the freezer for up to six months.

Recipe from Good Food Vegetarian Christmas, December 2020

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Comments, questions and tips (18)

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Overall rating

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.7 ratings

Emma Thomas 5

question

Can you decorate with marzipan and icing? I'm guessing so...

Emma Thomas 5

question

Hi,

I am hoping to make this in the next couple of days. My question is, can I feed it more brandy in the last few weeks to christmas? Most recipes I see for Christmas cakes involve feeding it more alcohol. Just wondering if it is ok to do so with this one please as instructions don't say.

Many…

CanCooktoo

question

I want to make this for a child hence no alcohol - should I use 4 tbs black tea after baking? Thank you .

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Hi, thanks for your question. You can either just leave it as it is, without adding any liquid. Alternatively you could use black tea as you suggest, or you could use orange juice or apple juice. We hope this helps. Best wishes, BBC Good Food Team.

joanmartin19EiY2hHg

question

Hi. I'm making this tonight but when you say cook for 2-3 hours that's a big difference- I'm using 20cm tin, so what do you think is correct baking time please in electric oven following your recommended temperatures thanks!!

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Hi, thanks for your question. It was 2 hours in our oven but some ovens run cooler in which case it can take as long as 3. We suggest checking it after 2 hours. We hope this helps. Best wishes, BBC Good Food Team.

juliepeesker7763514

question

Can you please tell me what is in the mixed spices. Here in Canada I am not familiar with the term. I assume its maybe ginger, nutmeg, cloves or some other combination. Thank you.

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Hi, thanks for your question. Mixed spice is sold readymixed and is usually a blend of Ground Cinnamon, Ground Coriander, Caraway Seed, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Ginger and Ground Cloves. You can make up your own if you have these spices. We hope this helps. Best wishes, BBC Good Food Team.

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