Rich old-fashioned fruit cake

Happy New year 2010 :)

Fruit cakes are normally baked during christmas & New year seasons. I soaked the nuts & dried fruits in whisky overnight. Flavour of soaked nuts & fruits along with the spice powders makes this cake taste just awesome.

Ingredients :

1. 1 kg mixed dried fruit
2. 1/2 cup finely chopped glace ginger
3. 1 tsp grated orange zest
4. 1 cup apple puree
5. 2 tbsp apricot jam
6. 2 tbsp orange juice
7. 250 gms butter
8. 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
9. 1 tsp vanilla extract
10. 4 eggs, lightly beaten
11. 3 cups plain flour
12. 1 tsp baking powder
13. 1 tsp mixed spice
14. 1 tsp ground ginger
15. Glace cherries
16. 2 to 4 tbsp whisky

Method :

1. In a large bowl mix fruits, glace ginger, orange zest, apple puree, apricot jam and orange juice. Cover and allow to stand overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 150 C. Lightly grease a 20 cm round tin and lin with two layers of non-stick baking paper.

3. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Add sifted dried ingredients alternately with fruit mixture.

4. Put into prepared tin. Decorate with rows of cherries. Bake for 3 to 31/2 hours. Cover with baking paper for the last hours to prevent burning.

5. Remove from oven and pour whisky on top. Leave in tin to cool completely before removing.

Enjoy :)