Christmas cake

mrsdwhite

Just wondering when everyone is making their Xmas cake? I usually do mine around now and feed it every few week. Just need to get the ingredients in and plan a day to do it also, Xmas puddings, are you waiting until stir up Sunday or doing them before then?

Linda32

I do not make Christmas pudding but I do make CHristmas cake as I find its very good value. I think I would make the cake towards late October and feed once during November.

notanewuser

We're having our xmas on the 5th december this year, so probably around the 3rd (December). Will decide whether to make a chocolate one or squidgy fruit one on about the 1st.

Big_Graeme

I try to get bonfire night out of the way before I start mine, though the pudding gets made a year in advance so we'll be eating last years pudding this year, it makes a huge difference.

thegirlsmum

my xmas cakes used to be so popular that i had to make a second for people to take a slice home with them then i gotfed up with that and stopped making any at all. started again last year but made a major mistake and used brandy instead of whisky, it was gross. course this year i have a new grandson due mid november and another grandbaby due early march so not sure if i will get round to one at all.
im just in the mood though to bake one, might dig out the old delia recipe.

Floss

I make my own cake & puddings...this year we will be eating a 2-yr old pud, as I make 2 at a time, in advance.

Cake was baked last weekend, will be dribbled with brandy every Sunday evening until early December when it will be iced.

Mince pies will be baked by DH using 50p jars of mincemeat from last year

Anoneemoose

I really want to make a christmas cake this year but am really scared in case it is too dry. I'm not too fussed on the alcohol but will put it in if it's best.

Can anybody offer any tips please? Or any 'foolproof' recipes that are recommended?

ScarletRibbons

I make mine at the end of October

notanewuser

Anoneemoose wrote: »

I really want to make a christmas cake this year but am really scared in case it is too dry. I'm not too fussed on the alcohol but will put it in if it's best.

Can anybody offer any tips please? Or any 'foolproof' recipes that are recommended?

Google hot toddy fruitcake. It's squidgy and delicious and doesn't nee to be made weeks in advance.

JIL

There's a great recipe on frugal queens blog today for a boiled fruitcake which has been frugalised. It would make a great Christmas cake.

allybee101

Anoneemoose - best tip I have is to soak your fruit overnight before you make the cake. Either in tea or alcohol. It makes the fruit nice and plump. That will help keep it moist. Spiking with alcohol isn't necessary, but is tasty. It doesn't have to be a huge amount.
Keep the cake well wrapped up - I leave mine in its greaseproof paper and then wrap in foil.

Thegirlsmum - how funny about the choice of alcohol - I've always used brandy so that's what I like. Then again I've never been a fan of whisky so perhaps that has something to do with it! I'm sure I've seen a recipe somewhere that used amaretto so I'm tempted to try that this year.