|
150 g/5 oz butter or margarine, softened
150 g/5 oz soft brown sugar
3 eggs
30 ml/2 tbsp black treacle (molasses)
225 g/8 oz/2 cups self-raising
(self-rising) flour
10 ml/2 tsp ground mixed (apple-pie) spice
2.5 ml/0.5 tsp grated nutmeg
2.5 ml/0.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
450 g/1 lb mixed dried fruit (fruit cake mix)
50 g/2 oz glace (candied) cherries
50 g/2 oz chopped mixed peel
50 g/2 oz chopped mixed nuts
30 ml/2 tbsp brandy
Additional brandy to mature the cake (optional) |
|
Method:
Cream together the butter or margarine
and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and
treacle, then fold in the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda.
Gently stir in the fruit, mixed peel and nuts, then stir in the
brandy. Spoon into a base-lined 23 cm/9 in microwave dish and
microwave on Low for 45–60 minutes. Leave to cool in the dish for 15
minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to finish cooling.
When cool, wrap the cake in foil and store in a cool, dark place for 2
weeks. If liked, pierce the top of the cake several times with a thin
skewer and sprinkle over some additional brandy, then re-wrap and
store the cake. You can do this several times to create a richer cake.
|
