Australian Christmas Cake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces butter
- 8 ounces soft brown sugar
- 6 eggs, separated
- 1 tablespoon syrup
- 8 ounces plain flour
- 2 ounces ground almonds
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 12 ounces sultanas
- 11/2 lbs raisins
- 4 ounces cherries, chopped
- 2 ounces shredded almonds
- 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 tablespoon pineapple juice
- 1 or 2 tablespoons brandy
Method
- Sift together all dry ingredients.
- Divide in half.
- Prepare all dried fruit and almonds.
- Combine with half the dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Beat egg yolks with syrup and add to butter mixture.
- Add all the fruit and the pineapple.
- Add the remaining flour, pineapple juice and brandy.
- Beat the egg whites until just stiff.
- Fold egg whites into mixture.
- Prepare 8" cake tin.
- Add mixture and scoop out the top.
- Bake at 250 or 120 or gas 1 for 7 hours at least.
- Remove from tin and cool for 24 hours.