General Chat

Hi Sheila, lynda and Rugby Widow. Lynda i would love that addy. Is there a receipe for xmas pud. i've never had a go at them before. i will pm you shortly. Sheila - yes i like lighter fruit cakes aswell as the traditional one. Rugby Widow widow - yes i add quite a lot of alcohol to it too. As for the icing i will worry about that nearer the time. I usually make a mess of it so i will be after a good receipe for that later. Thanks everyone Jane

We always used a metal squewer to make holes in the base and dribble stout mixed with milk in. Is it Royal icing when you use egg white, instead of water, with the icing sugar? We loved adding the icing in big smears and blobs to make a snow scene. Mum had some ancient figurines with the paint half rubbed off, a child sledging, a snowman etc. Sorry. None of that related to the request for a recipe, did it? :)

Also have a look at 'Delia' website (not sure of exact address) - I made her lighter cake last year as we don't like the really dark heavy cakes, it was lovely.

Got all my Xmas recipes on my msn blogg so if anyone wants them send me a pm and I will give out the addy Lyndax

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Now i'm spoilt for choice. My son is going to make it so i will leave the choice upto him. Thanks again i know i can rely on you all to help me out. Thanks again All the best Jane

Years ago my flatmate and I decided to make a Christmas cake and it said we had to inject it with brandy so my flatmate being a doctor said no problem she could get syringes!!! She did and we did used them to inject the brandy in - much to everyones amusement. Then it said the icing had to have glycerine in it - no way where we going to use what she suggested so the icing was very runny. We called the cake drugged in a snow storm.

This is the one I use Dorothy Sleightholme's Christmas Cake. 225g/8oz butter 225g/8oz soft brown sugar 1 tablespoon treacle Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon 250g/9oz plain white flour 1 level teaspoon baking powder 1 level teaspoon mixed spice a little grated nutmeg a pinch of salt 225g /8 oz of each currants/ sultanas / raisins 125g / 4oz of each cherries/ candied peel 50g 2oz each of chopped whole almonds and ground almonds 5 eggs Line a 8 inch square or 9 ins round tin with a layer of foil and lightly greased greaseproof papaer. Allow foil and paper to extend above both sides about 1.5 ins. tie a double thickness of brown papaer around outside of tin. Cream butter sugar treacle and lemon rind Sift flour baking powder spice nutmeg and salt Add fruit and both chopped and ground almonds Beat eggs until frothy add half the beaten egg and 4 tablespoons of flour and fruit mixture to butter and sugar beat in Add remaining egg and rest of dry ingredients gradually mixing in the strained lemon juice. Do not beat but mix thoroughly. Spoon into tin. Have oven pre heated to moderate. Gas 3/ 325 F/ 160 C. Place cake in centre of oven Turn heat down immediately to Gas 2/ 300 F /150 C and bake for 1 and half hours. Over the next half hour reduce heat by degrees to quite cool Gas 1/ 275 F/ 140 C if at this stage cake is browning too quickly cover loosely with foil . Total time 4 and a quarter to 4 and half hours. Don't forget the brandy after!!!! Germaine x

Hi Dianne Thanks for that. i'm gas anyway. Jane

8oz butter 8oz sugar 5 large eggs or 6 small 4oz ground almonds 4oz chopped glace cherries 9oz plain flour 1oz self raising flour 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 apple, peeled cored and grated 1lb 4oz currants or mixed fruit Bake at gas 2/3 (sorry don't know electric equivalent) for approx 5 hours. Just made ours on Monday. We have used this recipe for donkeys years in our family and it is lovely. Dianne xx

Thanks Helen and Germaine Please could you send me that receipe, sounds as if it is a good one. REceipes that come recommended are worth trying. Helen, oh Silly me i didnt think of looking on the net. Thanks Jane

I use the one int he Farmhouse Kitchen cook book. Noone has ever complained. If you would like it let me know. Germaine x

I know my mum made one with Guinness in it, and once - my brother went mad - with Remy Martin! I bet there are tons on the web. nell

Anyone know a good receipe for a Christmas cake please. I have lost the one i used to use. All the best Jane