How long will Mary Berrys Victorian Christmas cake last?
3 months
Wrap the completely cold cake in a double layer of greaseproof paper and again in foil and store in a cool place for up to 3 months, feeding at intervals with more sherry.
How much fruit do you soak brandy in?
1 1/2 cup Brandy
In a large airtight container, soak all dried fruits in 1 1/2 cup Brandy. Marinate overnight, turning fruit frequently to ensure it is all evenly marinated.
What makes a Christmas cake moist?
Soaked Dried Fruit The fruit is soaked in either apple juice OR a combination of apple juice and brandy (for those who like boozy Christmas Cake).
How far in advance should you make a Christmas cake?
Christmas Cake Tip #1: Make it well in advance of Christmas It’s best to get baking around two or three months before Christmas. This gives you plenty of time to let it mature and ‘feed’ your Christmas Cake regularly as the big day approaches.
How much alcohol do you use to soak fruit for Christmas cake?
I have suggested 2 cups of rum in the recipe below. When soaking the fruits however, add only as much liquid as is required to cover the top of the fruits. Generally you would need about half of the volume of fruit.
Which alcohol is best for Christmas cake?
What is the best alcohol to put in a Christmas cake? A reasonably strong spirit (around 40% ABV) with a warm, fiery flavour will compliment the flavour of the cake, and help to preserve the cake, so it will keep for longer. You can use standard rum, whisky or brandy.
When should you start soaking fruit for Christmas cake?
First only follow the traditional way; soak fruits before three months of Christmas (i.e. first/ second week of September) and bake the cake five weeks before Christmas (i.e. last week of November) and mature it by feeding alcohol once a week until Christmas.
When should I start baking my Christmas cake?
When should I start making my Christmas cake?
How often should you feed a Xmas cake with brandy?
Method
- It is best to feed your cake, every fortnight from when it has been baked.
- Using a skewer, prick several holes into the top of your cake.
- Spoon over 1-2 tbsp of the alcohol/fruit juice of your choice ensuring that the whole cake is evenly covered.
What is Mary Berry’s traditional Christmas cake recipe?
Mary Berry’s rich traditional Christmas cake recipe is filled to the brim with fruit, as well as almonds, brandy and treacle. Discover 10 ways to decorate your Christmas cake to turn your fruit cake into a festive showstopper. Combine the dried fruit and candied peel in a large bowl. Add the 4 tbsp brandy and stir in to mix well.
How do you make a Christmas cake with cherries?
Grease a 23 cm (9 in) deep round cake tin then line the base and sides with a double layer of baking parchment. Cut the cherries into quarters, put in a sieve and rinse under running water then drain well. Drain and roughly chop the pineapple, then dry the pineapple and cherries very thoroughly on kitchen paper. Snip the apricots into pieces.
How do you make a Christmas cake with dried fruit?
Combine the dried fruit and candied peel in a large bowl. Add the 4 tbsp brandy and stir in to mix well. Cover and leave overnight. Preheat the oven to 140°C/fan120°C/gas 1. Put the remaining ingredients except the almonds in a large bowl. Beat with a hand-held electric mixer until well combined.
How do you make the perfect Christmas cake?
Measure the butter, sugar, eggs, treacle and almonds into a very large bowl and beat well (preferably with an electric free-standing mixer). Add the flour and ground spice and mix thoroughly until blended. Stir in the soaked fruit. Spoon into the prepared cake tin and level the surface.