Classic Christmas Cake

Ingredients

• 225g/8oz plain flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 200g/7oz butter
• 200g/7oz dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsp black treacle
• 1 tbsp marmalade
• ¼ tsp vanilla essence
• 4 free-range eggs, lightly beaten
• 800g/1¾lb mixed dried fruits
• 100g/3½oz chopped mixed peel
• 150g/5oz glacé cherries, halved
• 100g/3½oz blanched almonds, chopped
• brandy
• 200g/7oz marzipan
• 1-2 tbsp apricot jam, warmed
• 3 free-range egg whites
• 600g/1lb 5oz icing sugar, sieved
• 1½ tsp liquid glycerine - optional
• 1 tbsp lemon juice