OLDIE BUT GOODIE

With this miserably cold weather comes the need for the old favourites. This recipe is a mixture of several I have come across over the years, it is beautifully moist and incredibly fast and easy to make, an all in one pot wonder!!!

Anything that cuts down on the wash up is good by me! Remember to use a large saucepan as it has to hold the whole mixture.

TRADITIONAL BOILED FRUIT CAKE

450g butter

550ml water

50ml whiskey or brandy

350g soft light brown sugar

450g dried fruit (I usually use a mixture of sultanas and raisins)

900g self raising flour

4 large eggs

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp mixed spice

Place butter, sugar , dried fruit and water into a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, give it a stir every minute or so.

Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool enough so it won't cook the eggs on contact.

Add the eggs and whiskey or brandy and mix. Add the flour and spices gradually and stir carefully.

Bake in two baking parchment lined loaf tins. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins and bake at 150 C for 90 minutes.

Test with a skewer (I always use a spaghetti stick) to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.

Cool out of the tin on a wire rack.

Enjoy!