Every time we start our travels I make a fruit cake which is actually adapted from a Christmas Cake recipe. It is absolutely delicious and lasts such a long time. It’s laced with brandy so always tastes very fresh and moist.
Whenever we feel like stopping for a coffee break but don’t really want to eat a meal as such, the cake comes in very handy. Not too much though for the driver. Hahaha hate to be pulled over and have to say all I have had today is some fruit cake. 🙂
Don’t forget that recipes like rules can be changed. So for us we tend to change things around as to how our taste and smell buds are performing on the day.
The Travelling Fruit Cake
Recipe
1 cup sultanas
1¾ cup currants
½ cup mixed peel
1½ cup of raisins or cranberries
1 cup of good quality brandy. We use St Agnes V.S.O.P. Brandy.
Combine sultanas, currants, raisins, mixed peel, and brandy in a large bowl. Cover and set aside, stirring occasionally, for 2 days to macerate.
1½ cups slivered almonds
250g butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
¾ cup plain flour
¾ cup self raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinamon
After the two days preheat oven to 170C. Grease and line a 23cm square cake pan with 3 layers of baking paper, extending paper 5cm above the rim.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar for 5 mins or until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir the almonds into the fruit mixture. Add the fruit mixture to the butter mixture with the combined sifted flours and spices. Stir until well combined. Spoon into prepared pan. Then I place the cherries over the top and pop it into the oven.
Bake for 2 – 3 hours or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove cake from oven. I generally let the cake cool and then cover with a clean cloth or tea towel. Then for about two weeks I pour a cap full of brandy over the cake every second day to keep it moist.
Well that’s it and happy cooking. This recipe is also used as a Christmas Cake and a great way to make smaller cakes to give as Christmas presents.
Cheers Dixie and Graeme
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