Christmas always seems to come round a little too quickly, but if you haven’t got round to making your Christmas cake yet then don’t worry, help is at hand! Our simple recipe using Cafédirect Hand-picked tea (or decaff tea) makes a moist, delicious cake – guaranteed to be a hit with guests! When, post-Christmas madness, you finally sit down with a slice of your delicious Christmas cake, complement the intense flavors of the cake with a cup of our fresh, delicate tasting Decaffeinated Hand-Picked Tea
Serves: 10 people
Preparation Time: 1½ hours, plus up to two days chilling time.
Cooking time: 3½ hours – 4½ hours
Ingredients - For the cake
500g mixed dried fruit e.g. sultanas, raisins, currants
100g ready to eat apricots, chopped
100g dates, chopped
50g dried cranberries
150g glace cherries, halved
225ml cold black tea, made from two Cafédirect Hand-picked tea bags
100ml whisky or brandy
75ml orange juice
1 orange, zest only
2 tbsp black treacle
200g butter, slightly soft
200g muscovado sugar
250g plain flour
1 heaped tsp baking powder
5 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp mixed spice
75g chopped nuts
To cover the cake
450g marzipan
Sifted icing sugar
4 tbsp apricot jam
1 kg ready rolled fondant icing
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