Christmas Cake

This cake seems to have a "bad wrap". Most people avoid this cake, or are drawn to it like flies to ....

I asked Chat GPT for a recipe and this is what I got. I did put my variations at the bottom.

Ingredients:

For the Fruit Mix:

• 500g mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, sultanas, chopped dates, and candied peel)
• 150ml brandy, or orange juice (for soaking the fruits)
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

For the Cake:

• 250g unsalted butter, softened
• 250g light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 300g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• A pinch of salt

Optional:

• 100g chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)

For Decoration:

• Marzipan
• Icing sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Fruit Mix:

• Place the mixed dried fruits in a bowl.
• Pour the brandy or orange juice over the fruits.
• Add the zest and juice of the orange and lemon.
• Mix well and let it soak overnight, or for at least a few hours.

2. Making the Cake:

• Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
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• Grease and line a deep round cake tin (about 20cm/8 inches in diameter) with parchment paper.
• 
  
• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• 
  
• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and add the vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
• 
  
• Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined.
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• Fold in the soaked fruit mix and chopped nuts if using.
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• Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
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• Bake in the preheated oven for about 2 to 2.5 hours or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

3. Decorating the Cake:

• Allow the cake to cool completely before decorating.
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• Roll out the marzipan and cover the top and sides of the cake.
• 
  
• You can also add additional decorations like holly leaves or festive shapes.
• 
  
• Dust with icing sugar for a snowy effect.

4. Serving:

• Once decorated, the Christmas cake can be stored in an airtight container. It often tastes even better if you let it mature for a few days before serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Christmas cake!

Now, there was a few variations that I did for this Christmas Cake.

1.  I used Kraken Rum

2.  I used Maraschino Cherries, Raisins and dried Cranberries

3.  My oven reset to 325 F as it's a convection oven

4.  I used loaf pans vice a round pan

5.  I baked it for 1 hour, it looked fine, knife came out clean

6.  No marzipan or icing sugar for decorating the cake

7.  No air tight container, it's under my glass cake tray