Rich fruit cake

Happy Christmas !!

Use a food processor to chop and combine whole citrus fruits and dates to make this incredibly moist cake that is bursting with fruity and spicy flavours.  This traditional cake is ideal for decorating for christmas or special occasions.  It will keep for one month in an airtight container.

Ingredients :

1. 150 g butter
2. 1 large orange, unpeeled, washed, cut into pieces and seeded
3. 1 large lemon, unpeeled, washed, cut into pieces and seeded
4. 1 large cooking apple, unpeeled, washed, cored and cut into pieces
5. 90 g stoned dates
6. 1/2 cup raisins
7. 1/2 cup currants
8. 1/2 cup sultanas
9. 1/2 cup pitted prunes, chopped
10. 1/2 cup cashew nut pieces
11. 1 tsp cinnamon powder
12. 1 tsp grated nutmeg
13. 1/2 tsp mace
14. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
15. 1 cup wholemeal flour
16. 11/2 tsp baking power
17. 1 cup rolled oats, processed until smooth
18. 3 large eggs, beaten
19. 3-4 tbsp unsweetened coconut milk, if needed

Method :

1.   Preheat the oven to 300 C.  Grease and line up the baking pan with the parchment paper.  

2.   Put the first five ingredients in a food processor and process to make a rough puree.  Scrap the mixture into a bowl and stir in the raisins, currants, sultanas, prunes, nuts and spices.

3.   Stir in the flour, baking powder and oats, alternating with the eggs.  If the mixture seems very dry stir in the coconut milk.

4.   Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top level.  Bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.  Cool for 15 mins, then turn out to cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy baking :)