BOILED CHRISTMAS CAKE

My Christmas Cake that I have been baking since 1960. A recipe that my husband took of the radio by Esme and Jan in ‘So Maak Mens’. Never had a flop. It is called “boiled” because you boil the fruit.

• ½ lb butter (250 g)
• 2 teaspoons bicarbonate soda
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 cup water boil together
• ½ lb currents (250 g)
• ½ lb sultanas (250 g)
• ½ lb raisins (250 g)
• ½ lb cherries and nuts (250 g)
• ½ cup brandy
• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 eggs
• pinch of salt

Boil together the sugar, bicarb, butter, water and fruit in pot for 20 minutes. Stir constantly.
Let it cool.
Mix together the eggs, brandy and salt and stir into the boiled mixture
Sift in the flour and baking powder together.
Mix well with the fruit mixture.
Pour into a well greeased pan (I line my pan with baking paper).
Bake in medium oven (150°C) for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
Leave to cool.
Brush with brandy.
Wrap in tin foil.
I usually brush the cake once a month with brandy.

Photo: Yvonne Little