Christmas Cake Sri Lankan Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 oz butter, softened
• 4 oz sugar
• 4 eggs, separated
• 4 oz flour, sifted
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp treacle or golden syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ cup cashew nuts, chopped
• 4 oz breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp rose water (optional for aroma)
• 8 oz raisins, finely chopped
• 8 oz sultanas, finely chopped
• 8 oz currants, finely chopped
• 2 oz candied peel, diced
• 2 oz glace cherries, chopped
• 4 oz dates, pitted and minced
• ½ cup brandy or rum (for soaking the fruits)
• 2 tbsp marmalade
• 1 tbsp almond essence
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground clove
• ⅛ tsp mace (optional)
• Royal icing or marzipan for topping
• Candied cherries, for garnish
• Silver dragees, for a festive sparkle
• Chopped nuts, sprinkled on the top