Celebration Cake

150g/5½oz plain wholemeal flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

5ml/1tsp ground mixed spice

½ teaspoon grated nutmeg

225g/8oz raisins

225g/8oz currants

225g/8oz sultanas

100g/3½oz glacé cherries, rinsed, dried and quartered

100g/3½oz flaked almonds

150g/5½oz polyunsaturated margarine

50g/1¾oz soft brown sugar

4 medium eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons brandy

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

2 teaspoons warm water

2 tablespoons additional brandy

Grease and line a 20-cm (8-inch) round or 18 cm  (7-inch) square cake tin with a double thickness of greaseproof paper.  Tie a double thickness of greaseproof paper around the outside.

Sift together the flour, salt and spices, adding any bran remaining in the sieve to the bowl.  Mix together the fruit and nuts.  Cream the margarine and sugar together until pale and creamy.  Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a tablespoon of flour with each egg.  Fold in the remaining flour, fruit and brandy.  Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the warm water and add to the mixture.  Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface.  Make a slight dip in the centre with the back of a spoon.  Place in a pre-heated oven at 150⁰C (300⁰ F) Gas Mark 2 for approximately 2½ hours or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.  Cover the cake with foil if it starts to become too brown.  Cool in the tin for 30 minutes.  Turn out on to a wire rack, remove the paper and allow to cool completely.  Serves 16.

Storage Suggestions

Wrap in greaseproof paper and foil and store in an airtight container.  Best eaten within 2 weeks.  Suitable for freezing.

Halfway through the storage the cake may be unwrapped and the base pricked several times with a skewer.  Drizzle two tablespoons of brandy over the base.  Re-wrap.

This cake may be decorated for special occasions in the traditional way using marzipan and fondant or royal icing.  For birthdays, anniversaries etc, there is no reason why a person with diabetes should not enjoy a piece of cake along with everyone else.

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