This recipe is not only fabulously delicious – but it is fabulously easy to make and requires few ingredients and just a little time to organise!

You need:

• 800g of various dried fruit (Dried fruit including: peach, pear, apple, raisins, sultanas, currants, prunes, figs, goji berries, cherries) Chop the bigger pieces of fruit into chunks.
• 2 cups of orange juice
• 4 X 10 cm baking tins (like these ones) or alternatively – it will do one big cake – but cooking time will be longer and baking paper
• Glace cherries and almonds – both hulled and unhulled (for decoration)

Step 1.

Weigh the fruit into a bowl and pour over the orange juice. If you want to add alcohol to the mix – go right ahead!

Stir and cover and leave overnight.

Step 2.

Add 2 cups of sifted self -raising flour and stir to combine. If it is too dry – add a splash more orange juice (or brandy!).

Step 3.

Prepare your tins by lining them with baking paper.

This recipe will fill 4 tins – push the fruit mix in and smooth out the top.

Step 4.

Put the glace cherry in the middle and then use the nuts to cover the top – this is for both decoration and stopping the top from burning.

Step 5.

Bake in a moderate oven (170°C) for about 45 mins – or until a skewer comes out clean.

Step 6.

Remove from tin and allow to cool.

Step 7.

Decorate and give with love.

HERE is my version of the ingredient list that I add to bottom of the cake in Canva – if you have a Canva account – you can make it your own.

A Thoughtful Gesture

The beauty of these cakes isn’t just in their taste—it’s in the thought behind them.
Plus, who wouldn’t want a slice of Christmas cheer that pairs perfectly with a cup of
tea or a glass of mulled wine?