Christmas Cake - Roberts Place

Ingredients

• 3 cups (450 gm – 1lb) currants
• 1¼ cups (175 gm – 6oz) sultanas
• 1¼ cups (175 gm – 6oz) raisins
• 1/2 cup (75 gm – 2½oz) glacé cherries, halved
• 1/2 cup (50 gm – 2 oz) cut mixed peel
• 6 tbsp (90 ml) brandy
• 2 cups (8 oz – 225 gm) all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp (3 ml) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1-2 ml) nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp (3 ml) pumpkin pie spice (recipe)
• 1 cup (225 gm – 8 oz) unsalted butter
• 1¼ cups packed, brown sugar (225 gm – 8 oz)
• 4 large eggs, beaten to mix
• 1/4 cup (50 gm – 2oz) chopped almonds
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) molasses
• grated zest of one lemon
• grated zest of one orange
• whole blanched almonds, pecans and walnut halves to decorate
• best quality apricot jam for glazing
• additional brandy for ‘feeding’