Basic Desserts Recipes - Rich Fruit Cake

Ingredients

• 375g currants

• 250g sultanas

• 150g raisins

• 90g glace cherries, halved

• 90g almonds, chopped

• 65g mixed peel

• grated rind of 1 lemon

• 40ml brandy

• 250 plain flour, sifted

• 6.5ml mixed spice

• 2.5ml grated nutmeg

• 65g ground almonds

• 200g soft margarine or butter

• 225g soft brown sugar

• 15ml black treacle

• 5 eggs, beaten

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 140.C/275"F/Gas1. Grease a deep 20cm/8in round or 18cm/7in square cake tin, line the base and sides with a double thickness of greaseproof paper and grease the paper.

2. Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat with a wooden spoon for 5 minutes until well mixed.

3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin. Make a slight depression in the centre.

4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 3 - 3 1/2, hours. Test the cake after 3 hours. If it is ready it will feel firm and a skewer inserted in the centre will come out clean. Cover the top loosely with foil if it starts to brown too quickly.

5. Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin. Then turn out. The lining paper can be left on to help keep the cake moist.