Booze Free Xmas cake

[tobeloy]

I would like to make a booze free xmas cake and was going to ask how long before xmas shall I make it or is it ok to make now? and will it last?

I was going to use a genoa cake recipe as it has to be a light fruit cake so will it last or am I better making it then freezing it??

Thanks

[spangle111]

As long as there is plenty of fruit in it the cake will be fine. Once you have baked it leave it to go completely cold and then wrap in foil. Don't be tempted to wrap it while its still warm or it will go mouldy with the moisture.

A recipe I always use is: -

1lb (400g) Mixed fruit of your choice (raisins, sultanas, cherries etc.)
4oz (100g) Sugar
4oz (100g) Butter or Margarine
1/4 pint (125ml) Water
1 Egg
8oz (200g) Self raising flour

Place fruit, sugar, butter and water in a pan and simmer slowly with the lid on for 20 minutes.

Allow to cool, then add beaten egg and stir in flour.

Turn into a greased 6-7in (15-18cm) cake tin

Bake in the centre of the oven for 1 1/2 hours at 150 degrees C, 300 F, Gas mark 2

This cake will still be moist and fresh at New Year!

Happy Christmas!

[tobeloy]

Thanks very much spangle.....I look forward to eating it on the day =-)

[Bellringer]

Our Christmas cakes (booze free) are made in September. We make 4 every year but some times only use 3 & the other keeps all year. The recipe was handed down to the female members of my wife's family. Even I don't know it so I can't pass it on. Wouldn't dare anyway. But I think if you wrap them up in tightly in foil they will keep for ages.