CHRISTMAS CAKE

Vegan Recipe

PREP TIME: 1 HOUR  /  COOK TIME: 4 HOURS  /  12 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

250g soft dark brown sugar

175g plain flour

100g ground almonds

1 tsp xanthan gum

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

100g chopped walnuts

700g mixed dried fruit (includes: raisins, currants, sultanas, mixed peel, & glace cherries, chopped)

3 tbsp ground flaxseed

pinch of salt

TO ADD

200ml orange juice

150ml brandy, rum or tea, plus extra for feeding

2 tsp vanilla extract

200ml/180g rapeseed or sunflower oil

METHOD

1. Put the dried fruit, juice, brandy (or alternative), rapeseed oil & sugar into a large pan & set over a medium heat. Give it a good mix, bring to the boil, then lower the heat & simmer for 5 mins until the sugar has dissolved. Tip the mixture into a large bowl & leave to cool for 30 mins.
2. Heat the oven to 300F/150C/140C fan/gas mark 2. Line a deep 20cm cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, making sure it comes at least 3cm above the edge of the tin. Then wrap a double layer of newspaper or brown paper around the outside tying it with string which helps to stop the fruit burning. Add a circle of foil on top of the mixture but poke holes in it to allow the steam to rise.
3. Mix the ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water, leave to sit for 10 mins until the water is absorbed. 
4. Add the remaining ingredients to the fruit mixture, along with the flaxseed mix & stir well, making sure that there are no pockets of flour. Tip into your prepared tin. Level the top with a spoon, & place in the oven.
5. Bake for 1.5 hours then turn the oven down to 280F/140C/130C fan/gas mark 1, bake for a further 2.5 - 3 hours.
6. Cool the cake in the cake tin, then remove, wrap in baking parchment & store in an airtight container, it will keep for 6 months.
7. Feed your cake every week by skewering it in several places & sprinkling with 1 tsp of your choice of alcohol, tea or orange juice, & rewrap between feedings.
8. Add marzipan, icing & decorations a week before you wish to serve it to give it time to dry.