christmas cake

Frugal_Fox

lucrecia_595 wrote: »

Basically, you just use the mini bean tins as your baking tins they come out absolutely perfect too.

Wow - never ever would have thought of that!!! Was telling DH about this and that I wanted to make some, he thought it was a fab idea but was bulking at the thought of having to buy or hire special tins!

When you say the mini bean tins I'm assuming you mean the half sized baked bean cans? Also - how long do you bake them?

SusanCarter

buxtonrabbitgreen wrote: »

6 bake in the centre of a very moderate oven 325-350 f or gas mark 3. then reduce heat to 275-300f or gas mark 2 for a further 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours.

How long do you bake it at GM3?

lucrecia_595

DisneyLyn1 wrote: »

How long do you bake them for and on what temperature? I would like to try this but I'm not sure of the cooking times and don't want to cremate them. :rolleyes:

I'll post the recipe for you, I found it really simple to make. I soaked my fruit for 5 days in brandy first too.


This recipe is enough to make about 12 small cakes made in small baked bean tins. Or it can be made in a 10" square large tin and be cut to make smaller cakes.

9oz Plain Flour
6oz Brown Sugar
2oz Caster Sugar
6 Eggs
8oz Butter (room temperature)
I tbls Black treacle
1 tsp Vanilla essence
2 Tbls of Brandy(Optional)
Juice of a lemon
Preheat Oven at 150ºC/200ºF Gas Mark 2
2lb Mixed Fruit
4-6oz Glace Cherries (chopped and folded into 1oz Plain flour)
2-4oz Almonds (Optional)

You will need to collect 12 small Baked bean or similar small can and wash thoroughly. If the can has had a pull tab on it you will have been left with a small rim so you need to cut out the bottom of the can. Turn the can upside down and the bottom will now rest on the rim around the top, like a normal cake tin.( Be careful as the can bottom is likely to be sharp).

Line each can as you would a normal cake tin using greaseproof paper, making the side paper come up 5cm/2" above the sides of the cans.
Place the Black Treacle in a bowl to warm in the oven.
Using a wooden spoon, cream the butter and both the sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs a little at a time and then add the combined sifted flour and spices, beating well to make sure that everything is combined.
Now add all the fruit, cherries and almonds (if including) and stir well, then add the final ingredients, the warmed treacle, vanilla essence, juice of the lemon and the brandy, again stir well.
Spoon the mixture into the cans, there should be enough for 12 cans. Place the cans on the middle shelf of the pre-heated oven. Cook for approximately 1½hrs. Check after an hour, (as the cakes are small and ovens vary it is worth checking on them after an hour)

This is what mine turned out like

northernlass_2

wow lucrecia_595 they look absolutely delicious, i just think i might have to have a go though im not expecting them to turn out that nice after first attempt lol

lucrecia_595

Thank you. Although that was my first try too! I only made six though, so I just halved everything. I bought everything new and it cost me £12.00 including the whiskey. So it basically works out at £2 per cake, or £1 minus the alcohol.

I'm just looking forward to decorating it now! Shame we have to wait another 2 and a half months

Frugal_Fox

lucrecia_595,

I've already started soaking my fruit following Delia's recipe. However your cakes look very very good. Thank you so much for the advice about how to bake them. Will see if I can post a picture when mine are cooked.

sweetangel63

love to make a xmas cake always liked marks and sparks xmas cake but thought i would make my own for a change. whats a good recipe???

linda-ann

Made my cake yesterday now I just have to turn it into an alcoholic by Christmas:xmastree:
More Brandy...More Brandy... :snow_grin

ladyfalco

i would love a recipiefor easy to make mini xmas cakes if someone has one. thanks.

pennyocs

im going to make some of those small cakes thanks very much lucrecia_595