CHRISTMAS CAKE

I make this cake once a year - shocker!  Each time it is a little different.  It was pretty good this year, according to Alan who is the most ardent fan of this cake.  My sister has been making this cake for many years, I believe the recipe came from Aunty Elaine, thank you.

BOILED FRUIT CAKE

• 3 eggs
• 6 Tbsps butter
• 2 pounds fruit & nuts ( I use raisins, golden raisins, red glace cherries, dates and walnuts)
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 pinches salt
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1 & 3/4 cups water (can use 2 cups and omit brandy)

Prepare 8" square tin or equivalent by lining sides with cardboard covered in foil, this will ensure more even baking.  Spray with 'Pam for baking' or grease as you prefer.
Combine fruit, water, butter and sugar is large saucepan. Put on high heat til comes to boil and sugar is dissolved. Cool. (can do this day before),
Add well beaten eggs and brandy if using, then flour, bicarb and salt.  Pour into prepared tin and place thoroughly soaked newspaper under tin.  Bake at 325F for one hour, turn down to 300 and cook for about another hour, or maybe even 2, til toothpick comes out pretty much clean.
I make this cake over Thanksgiving weekend and store in a Tupperware like container.  Pierce the cake all over with a skewer and add one Tbs brandy once a week, or so.........
FROSTING:
Start this a  few days before Christmas,  I use 2 tubes of Marzipan to cover the cake.  First spread about 3 Tbsps of apricot jam over cake,  roll the marzipan as thinly as possible, using confectioners sugar to keep from sticking to your surface and rolling pin. Don't worry too much about how it looks at this point, it is very forgiving once you cover with frosting!  I usually cut a piece of marzipan that will pretty much fit the top, then cut pieces to fit the sides and fill any gaps with the bits left over.  You then need to leave for a day to dry out, covered with a clean (duh!) tea towel.  I use Delia's Royal Icing, which is a little more brittle than I would prefer but have not found a better one.
Present on a fabulous plate and decorate with a piece of holly from your garden! This cake does last a while if stored correctly. Oh, and I have heard all the jokes about fruit cakes, all I can say is that those jokers have not tasted this cake!