Christmas cake

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan T on October 17, 2011 at 1:43pm

You can soak the fruit in boiling water or apple cider instead of using the alcohol.  That avoids the strong alcohol flavor but still allows the addition and re-hydration of the fruit.  Personally I prefer not to use the alcohol, especially if younger children will be sampling the cake.

Permalink Reply by amanda marshall on October 17, 2011 at 1:52pm

thanx for that susan x

Susan T said:

You can soak the fruit in boiling water or apple cider instead of using the alcohol.  That avoids the strong alcohol flavor but still allows the addition and re-hydration of the fruit.  Personally I prefer not to use the alcohol, especially if younger children will be sampling the cake.

Permalink Reply by Faith Gealey-Brown on October 17, 2011 at 4:08pm

I steam my fruits with a tiny bit of brandy and cake wine.  I use mostly fruit juice to steam them.  Then I let them cool overnight.  Works great and there is not a strong alcohol taste as the steaming boils off a lot of the alcohol.  Teneisha Williams posted her amazing Fruit Cake recipe here, that is typically the Christmas cake that we use in the Caribbean.  I must say, her recipe is simply amazing.  I've tweaked it to how I like but it is hands down an awesome recipe. 

Permalink Reply by amanda marshall on October 17, 2011 at 7:04pm

thanx for your advice faith.  I'll have a wee look at her recipe. x

Faith Gealey-Brown said:

I steam my fruits with a tiny bit of brandy and cake wine.  I use mostly fruit juice to steam them.  Then I let them cool overnight.  Works great and there is not a strong alcohol taste as the steaming boils off a lot of the alcohol.  Teneisha Williams posted her amazing Fruit Cake recipe here, that is typically the Christmas cake that we use in the Caribbean.  I must say, her recipe is simply amazing.  I've tweaked it to how I like but it is hands down an awesome recipe. 

Permalink Reply by June Kowalczyk on October 17, 2011 at 7:12pm

Well, my Mom would soak in apple juice/cider.  But I have tasted it soaked in a combo of ap juice/brandy, and I actually prefer that.  Found the juice too bland.  I'm not a big drinker, but I must say it imparted a nice moistness & flavor.  And you won't get drunk eatting a couple of slices...Ha! Ha!

Permalink Reply by Leah Carpenter on November 3, 2011 at 4:29am

I reakon it's just a way of getting more moisture into your cake.  What if you soaked them in orange juice instead?

Permalink Reply by Natasha on November 3, 2011 at 6:10am

Hi Faith, would you mind sharing the recipe for the fruit cake?

Or could you direct me to the link thereof....you know, i've been doing the cake decor for my childrens birthday cakes...or for friends....but lately I have this overwhelming feelling of "I want to create!!"....it's almost like eating sushi...

at first It was an acquired taste.....then afterwards it was like....mmmm not too bad.....and then after that....if i see a picture of sushi in a magazine then I drool all over the pages....

anyway....what I actaully wanted to say before I went on a tangent about sushi...is.....i've never made a fruit cake....but I want to try my hand at it...... i want to fill it up with all the goodness that only a fruitcake can offer...lol....and then to decorate all that goodness....any ideas ladies?

Faith Gealey-Brown said:

I steam my fruits with a tiny bit of brandy and cake wine.  I use mostly fruit juice to steam them.  Then I let them cool overnight.  Works great and there is not a strong alcohol taste as the steaming boils off a lot of the alcohol.  Teneisha Williams posted her amazing Fruit Cake recipe here, that is typically the Christmas cake that we use in the Caribbean.  I must say, her recipe is simply amazing.  I've tweaked it to how I like but it is hands down an awesome recipe.