christmas cakes and puddings etc

Tracey04

when should I get them cooking, and any good recipes that are cheaper than my orginal one. I always used butter, loads of nuts, cherries and the marzipan icing can push the bill up. Hoping for a very rich dark cake that maybe I could make as a present or part of a hamper

Thanks Tracey

julbags

I think I'll be making mine (Xmas Cake) this weekend - was going to be in middle of October but will be busy then and I want a good feeding period.

Only made my first cake last year following St Delia's recipe and will be again, it wasn't particularly dark though.

thriftlady_2

I like to make my cake and pud on Bonfire Night

linzibean

Mine will be made first week in October, as always two cakes, one pudding

JoeyEmma

People on here rave about the Delia one.

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/the-classic-christmas-cake,1293,RC.html

I was thinking about making several smaller ones, eg using 1lb loaf tins, so I have a few to give out as gifts. How long do people think they will take to cook?

whistler-alison

I would also like to make the cake using loaf tins - if anyone can help with timings, I would be sooo grateful!