Making the Christmas Cake

What about Christmas trees, lights and decorations this year? I always have a real tree, for the past 40 years, we have bought at the same local place that specialises in trees. In recent years our adult children meet us there, we each choose our trees, the children are given a gift, plus a cup of hot chocolaate and the adults mulled wine or coffee. Its a great tradition we all enjoy. As we may not be able to have any of them round over the holiday, I considered a smaller tree, less decorations but my current feeling is I want the festive joy, the extra lights everywhere and my usual large tree.
This too could change of course....

Iam64 I’m with you, I think we need cheering up this year, we have good memories of family Christmases and, hopefully more to look forward too.

We haven’t seen our DD1 and the GCs since February and won’t see them again until next year, because of Covid, so we need something to rally us over the Winter months and for me it will be the lights and decorations, with fingers firmly crossed for a better 2021.

We well decorate as usual.. not sure what will actually happen at Christmas but we will be warm, fed and have a book to read, music to listen to and TV to entertain us. I will try to count my blessings.

PECS - we are in the same place as you (and I guess most of us). We aren't sure what will happen or be possible but we will be warm, fed, have books to read, music to listen to and tv for entertainment. Scrabble? Definitely counting blessings now.

Just seen this thread, which is timely, as I have only just taken the Christmas cake out of the oven.The gorgeous spicy scent of it cooling on the worktop is driving DH crazy.?
Four hours to cook, with the caketin wrapped in parcel paper and string. Have used the same Mrs B recipe for the last 54 years, always a success, even with very different ovens.
Just need to feed it brandy between now and Christmas ( if we can resist the urge to cut a slice.)

Extra butter and eggs, glacé cherries, peel just arrived in the grocery order. Some people don't like glacé cherries in a cake but they make it (imo).

Grandtante I just have to ask why don't Danes eat dried fruit?

I always keep to stir up Sunday or did before my gf issue. Will keep to that to make my gf stuff another go this year.

The DGC usually decorate my tree too, I hope they'll be allowed to do that this year.

I have not made a christmas cake in nearly 20 yrs. It was also recipe for wedding and christening cakes made for self and sisters. I used to make huge one and chop up to make up as presents for older folk or friends on their own. Sadly those people are no longer with us and I was diagnosed coeliac. It seemed to me just me that likes fruit cake in this house... other half no like cherries or nuts.

In these covid times I thought I would make a GF one and use old recipe. That calls for a tin of strawberries! still looking for same! But do people still wash the dried fruit (and dry gently in warm oven) prior to soaking in juice/spirits?

No, I haven't washed the fruit for years. My mother always did.
I'd be interested to know who does.

I'm making my cake tomorrow. Have used Delia recipe since we've been married and used it for our wedding cake 40 years ago. The OP said that if the cake sings it isn't done - I was given the same piece of advice too. It's lovely to have the house smelling Christmassy.

Vintagegirl, I still wash my fruit (with boiling water), dry it on a tea towel and inspect for stalks. For the Christmas cake, I drain away the water after about 15 mins so that the fruit will still absorb brandy.

Can I ask about cooking time for the Delia recipe please? Do you find that the stated baking time is too long?

Anyone got any ideas for an alternative to marzipan? I just don’t like it, but there really needs to be a layer of something on the cake before icing.

SpringyChicken

Can I ask about cooking time for the Delia recipe please? Do you find that the stated baking time is too long?

We found it needed longer but our oven is past its best ?

Oldbutstilluseful I have sometimes just put glace fruit on top..no marzipan, no icing.. but I do love marzipan more than royal icing so also some years just marzipan with marzipan figures!
It only needs a very thin layer of marzipan for a base for white icing..
you don't actually need my 1" deep layer!

inspect for stalks
Oh yes, I do that.

Oldbutstilluseful

Anyone got any ideas for an alternative to marzipan? I just don’t like it, but there really needs to be a layer of something on the cake before icing.

I made one without marzipan last year for someone who doesn't like marzipan. I just put that roll out icing on (I don't like that but it wasn't for us), after painting as usual with warm apricot jam. It seemed to stay on ok as far as I know.

Otherwise dried fruit and a glaze.

Another useful top is to get an oven thermometer as you may find your oven is not true to temperature. Ours is too fierce and I have to turn it down 10C.

Thanks Suziewuzie. I was hoping you were going to say less time! My recipe says ‘don’t look ‘til it at least four hours have passed’. Mine was overdone.

SpringyChicken

Thanks Suziewuzie. I was hoping you were going to say less time! My recipe says ‘don’t look ‘til it at least four hours have passed’. Mine was overdone.

We ignored that bit and checked after2 hours and then every half hour

I still use a the recipe that my Grandmother used and then my Mum.
It was also used for several wedding and christening cakes.
No booze it it but full of fruit.
It never hangs around long.

With electric ovens, you need to be mindful of fan ovens needing less time and maybe older recipes do not take that into account?

That’s true Vintagegirl. I’ll try again without the fan.

My goodness, I’d better get a move on, I’ve not made my cake yet. I think next week will be the week. If there’s no one else here to eat it, my husband will greedily enjoy it.