{"id":117,"date":"2006-11-20T17:15:50","date_gmt":"2006-11-20T04:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/?p=117"},"modified":"2025-04-26T19:44:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T07:44:34","slug":"christmas_cake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/christmas_cake\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Cake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This Christmas Cake, from my mother\u2019s old recipe book, is a rich and flavorful classic perfect for the holiday season. Packed with soaked fruits and infused with warm spices and essences, it\u2019s a labour of love that yields a moist, indulgent cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>With a long, slow bake ensuring a perfect texture, this recipe is a cherished tradition that brings the festive spirit to your table. Ideal for sharing, it\u2019s a true centrepiece for Christmas celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that rounding up to the nearest metric weight is <strong>not<\/strong> a good idea; the fruit will be too heavy. We learnt this when a neighbour did so, and all the fruit sank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1lb Raisins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1lb Sultanas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1lb Currants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1lb Mixed Fruit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bclb Peel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cherries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5 cups Ginger ale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1lb Brown Sugar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1lb Butter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 teaspoon Vanilla essence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 teaspoon Lemon essence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 teaspoon Almond essence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 teaspoons Mixed spice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10 Eggs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\u00bclb Flour<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Soak fruit in ginger ale overnight (or longer).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cream butter and sugar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add essences and mixed spice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alternate adding flour and eggs, beating well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drain the fruit and add to the mix.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pour into a greased, lined tin (I use one about 9&#8243; square).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bake for 5\u00bd hours: \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>250\u00b0F (120\u00b0C) for the first hour, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>225\u00b0F (100\u00b0C) for the rest of the time. Test with a skewer to ensure it is properly cooked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Christmas Cake, from my mother\u2019s old recipe book, is a rich and flavorful classic perfect for the holiday season. Packed with soaked fruits and infused with warm spices and essences, it\u2019s a labour of love that yields a moist, indulgent cake.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","_bluesky_dont_syndicate":"1","_bluesky_syndication_accounts":"","_bluesky_syndication_text":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[133,86,130,128,88,83,131,132,129,101,127,87,90,91],"class_list":["post-117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cakes","tag-almond-essence","tag-butter","tag-cherries","tag-currant","tag-egg","tag-flour","tag-ginger-ale","tag-lemon-essence","tag-mixed-fruit","tag-mixed-spice","tag-raisin","tag-sugar","tag-sultana","tag-vanilla"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/baking.webp?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":144,"url":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/johnny-allsorts\/","url_meta":{"origin":117,"position":0},"title":"Johnny Allsorts","author":"Brian","date":"20 November 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Another recipe from my mother's old recipe book. Her notes indicate the recipe came from my father's sister. I have no idea where the name came from.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Baking&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Baking","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/category\/baking\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm7.staticflickr.com\/6048\/6366474071_0b7af2e9e9.jpg?fit=499%2C333&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":158,"url":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/pandowdy\/","url_meta":{"origin":117,"position":1},"title":"Pandowdy","author":"Brian","date":"3 March 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"A pandowdy is a rustic, charming dessert that celebrates the juicy, flavorful fruit filling over a polished pastry. Think of it as the scrappy, lovable Tramp of the pie world\u2014bursting with character and irresistible charm. This pie oozes with fruity goodness, with a golden, cinnamon-sugared crust intentionally \"dowdied\" during baking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Desserts&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Desserts","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/category\/sweet-things\/desserts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm9.staticflickr.com\/8382\/8521985993_daaf57ed96.jpg?fit=500%2C354&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":121,"url":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/brandy_butter_icing\/","url_meta":{"origin":117,"position":2},"title":"Brandy Butter Icing","author":"Brian","date":"11 December 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"This Brandy Butter Icing is a luxurious topping, perfect for enhancing the flavour of your Christmas cake or any festive bake. With golden syrup for a hint of sweetness and brandy for a warm, indulgent touch, it spreads smoothly and creates beautiful swirls for a stunning presentation. Ingredients 450g icing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sweet things&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sweet things","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/category\/sweet-things\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/baking.webp?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/baking.webp?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/baking.webp?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/baking.webp?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":166,"url":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/spiced-apple-cake\/","url_meta":{"origin":117,"position":3},"title":"Spiced Apple Cake","author":"Brian","date":"7 April 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"This Spiced Apple Cake is a warm and fragrant dessert that can be enjoyed two ways\u2014served hot with custard as a comforting pudding or cold as a flavorful cake. This cake, made with tender apples, sultanas, and a blend of warm spices, is simple to prepare and perfect for any\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cakes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cakes","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/category\/baking\/cakes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm9.staticflickr.com\/8400\/8624213296_7242c02d47.jpg?fit=499%2C333&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":110,"url":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/upside_down_caramelised_banana_cake\/","url_meta":{"origin":117,"position":4},"title":"Upside-down caramelised banana cake","author":"Brian","date":"31 August 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"This upside-down banana cake is comfort baking at its best. Soft, cinnamon-scented sponge sits on top of a glossy layer of caramelised bananas, creating a cake that\u2019s rich without being heavy and familiar without being dull. It\u2019s the kind of cake that feels right for afternoon tea, family gatherings, or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Baking&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Baking","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/category\/baking\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2005\/08\/3628565720_39d0165e2d_o.webp?fit=1200%2C1004&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2005\/08\/3628565720_39d0165e2d_o.webp?fit=1200%2C1004&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2005\/08\/3628565720_39d0165e2d_o.webp?fit=1200%2C1004&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2005\/08\/3628565720_39d0165e2d_o.webp?fit=1200%2C1004&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2005\/08\/3628565720_39d0165e2d_o.webp?fit=1200%2C1004&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":135,"url":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/leanne-s-chocolate-cake\/","url_meta":{"origin":117,"position":5},"title":"Leanne&#8217;s Chocolate Cake","author":"Brian","date":"25 April 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"This chocolate cake, shared by my friend Leanne, was a hit during our night-fill supper breaks. Rich, spiced, and moist, it\u2019s a comforting classic topped with creamy chocolate icing that perfectly complements the cake\u2019s flavour. Simple to make and well-loved, this recipe brings back fond memories and is perfect for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cakes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cakes","link":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/category\/baking\/cakes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3654\/3514086464_f78322bcc3_d.jpg?fit=500%2C375&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":851,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions\/851"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shadowfoot.com\/recipe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}