Ale Cake Recipe

225g/8 oz/1 cup butter or margarine, softened
225 g/8 oz/1 cup soft brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
350 g/12 oz/3 cups wholemeal (wholewheat) flour
10 ml/2 tsp baking powder
5 ml/1 tsp ground mixed (apple-pie) spice
150 ml/0.25 pt/0.75 cup brown ale

175 g/6 oz/1 cup currants

175 g/6 oz/1 cup sultanas (golden raisins)
50 g/2 oz raisins

100g/4 oz/1 cup chopped mixed nuts
Grated rind of 1 large orange

Method:

Cream together the butter or margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, beating well after each addition. Mix together the flour, baking powder and spice and gradually fold into the creamed mixture alternating with the brown ale, then fold in the fruit, nuts and orange rind. Spoon into a greased and lined 20 cm/8 in cake tin (pan) and bake in a preheated oven at 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2 for 2 1/4 hours until a  skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 30 minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack to finish cooling.