Festive Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 250g dates, chopped
• 200g cherries
• 200g soft brown sugar
• 75ml sherry, brandy or orange juice (non-alcoholic option)
• 250ml water
• 5ml mixed spice
• 5ml bicarbonate of soda
• 500g fruit cake mix
• 200g FIRST CHOICE Butter
• 2 eggs
• 270g cake flour
• 2.5ml salt
• 5ml baking powder
• 100ml FIRST CHOICE Pouring Cream
• 150g roughly chopped pecan nuts or toasted almonds
• 80ml brandy (for pouring over cake once out of the oven)