"And what's the recipe today, David........."

INGREDIENTS FOR
"TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAKE"

Half a pound of Plain Flour.
Half a pound of Butter.
Half a pound of Caster Sugar.
4 Eggs.
One and a half a pounds of Mixed Dried Fruit.
4oz. Glace Cherries, chopped in halves or quarters.
4oz. Blanched Almonds, finely chopped.
Half a teaspoon of Nutmeg.
1 teaspoon of Mixed Spice.
Half a teaspoon of Baking Powder.
1 tablespoon of liquid Gravy Browning.
A pinch of Salt.
Milk, might be necessary to make a smooth mixture.
Brandy!!

The amounts, and ingredients, needed will vary according to your taste.

(The cooking time for this cake is FOUR hours!!)

First, soak all the Dried Fruit in Brandy for a few hours!!

Cream the Butter and mix in the Caster Sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, continually stirring the mixture and also add in the flour a little at a time.

When nice and smooth add in the Dried Fruit (drain off any surplus Brandy!), Cherries, Almonds, all the Spices, Baking Powder, Salt and Gravy Browning, slowly, whilst mixing in well. If the mixture is too stiff add a little of the Milk until you have a smooth mixture.

Line a Baking Cake Tin with grease-proof paper and grease it well. Put all the cake mixture in, making sure it goes to all the corners. Bake in a pre-heated oven at Gas mark 3 for two hours and then at Gas Mark 2 for another two hours. Do not open the oven during this time.

When cooked, remove from the Baking Tin but do not remove the paper until fully cooled on a wire rack. Later you can cover the cake with Marzipan (stick it on with Marmalade!!) and decorate with Icing. This Christmas Cake will keep for a very long time in an air-tight tin.

Sumptuous!!