Christmas cake - to ice or not to ice?

[venator]

People seem to be going off a lot of icing, too many calories.
We prefer thick marzipan with very light icing, just for the look of the thing.
I suppose marzipan is just as fattening as icing. So's Christmas cake.

What can I do to lessen the guilt?

[ummmm]

The only bit of Xmas cake I eat is the icing :-)

[NazNomad]

Throw the whole lot, just eat the marzipan.


I know, I'm no help, lol.

[leejaysmum]

How about just marzipan-ing & icing just the top of the cake, just so its a bit festive, and leave the sides plain. Those that dont like marzipan/icing can easily remove it and those that do like it wont feel cheated.

[brid]

We sometimes just decorate ours with fruit and nuts. Looks quite nice and healthier too

[venator]

Thanks Brid - that's a great idea - I can have a bit of marzipan to stick the fruit & nuts on....

[brid]

We dont stick them on with marzipan. Just glaze the top of the cake with a little melted apricot jam and arrange the fruit and nuts on top and then glaze over (optional). If you still feel the need for marzipan, make little ball decorations with it around the base or perhaps try making your own marzipan fruits with colouring and place them in a bowl at the side

[venator]

Another good idea, thanks! My wife did a course at Slatterys in Manchester , well several, actually, but one was modelling figures - I'll suggest making some marzipan creations.

[ayabrea38]

It is the one time of year you are supposed to eat anything you want,so moderation is probably best.I hate icing and love marzipan,OH is the other way round,so either we swap bits or argue over who get the right to say how the cake is 'iced' this year!
Enjoy your cake
Aya