[cluckingmad]

I'm itching to try and make my own Christmas cake this year - full of moist fruit and brandy (or any alcohol really!).  Has anyone got a good recipe out there please?

[Sally A]

I'm not one for boozy cakes, but a few years back, rather than do icing (I'm not very artistic), I covered the top in brazils, pecans, blanched almonds with glace cherries, and "varnished" it with either a jammy or honey glaze, definitely my preferred topping now, as a lot of people leave the marzian and icing on the side of the plate.

[Selkie]

does anyone else make their own mincemeat? i must get round to doing a batch soon - am keeping coffee jars in preparation!

[chrissie B]

if you want to put a tippl on your cake use rum cos it goes really good with fruit , this year i am putting brandy on my pud cos we are having guests and one dosent like rum on stuff so i am making the big sacrifice , but its going on my cake .
(when in doubt pour rum on it i say )
chrissie b

[noshed]

There's a good Nigel Slater recipe I've made a few times - any dried fruit including apricots and stuff. Costs a fortune but it's lovely.
It's here: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,846294,00.html

[Ann]

I always make Delia's Traditional Christmas Cake it's lovely

[Ice]

Yes, you can't go wrong with a Delia crimbo cake.  Do it soon and feed with your favourite spirit, not just rum.

[Trillium]

I'm not a rum lover, and brandy doesn't turn my crank either. We use Irish Mist in our Christmas cakes - really, really nice  

[cluckingmad]

Thanks everyone - I'm gonna try the Nigel Slater one - thanks Noshed!  Recipe uses up 5 eggs too so I'll be able to make some room in my fridge again :roll:

[noshed]

I usually make one round one (20cm) which I put marzipan on and put the rest in a loaf tin for general gorging.
That's only because I haven't got a giant tin. But it is genuinely georgeous and very easy to make.