Foodie - Grandma's Traditional Christmas Cake

I don't think there is any one true meaning to this joyous occasion. Yes, Christmas has a history and that history affects us all, but each family has their own traditions and meaning. Children have a different meaning and that changes as they grow and develop with time.

Most certainly it's a time of giving and sharing with those around us, but that is not limited to those that we love and care for. It is also for those people that we have never met and will never see. Those that are not so fortunate in their lives as we are and that could use a helping hand.

As I wake up to the sound my alarm clock ringing I am counting the days to Christmas. The celebration of food and sounds of wrapping paper rustling incessantly begin.

This week I share with you a family favourite, which has been within time for over fifty years, my grandma's traditional Christmas cake.

For this recipe you will need:

1 cup butter (375g)

1 brown sugar

cup orange zest

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

cup strong black coffee

cup vegetable oil

4 whole eggs

cup glace cherries

1 cup chopped pecan nuts

1 tsp mixed spice

3 cups mixed fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants, dates, etc.)

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

Method of baking:

1. The most fun part about baking during Christmas is getting the children to bake with you, if that's possible.

2. Carefully line the cake tin with parchment paper or alternatively you can use aluminium foil and grease it slightly with butter.

3. Add the mixed fruits and glace cherries with a tablespoon of flour and mix them together.

4. Sift the flour, baking powder and all the spices.

5. Thereafter beat the sugar and butter until fluffy and creamy. Do remember to add just one egg at a time, during this process you will add the oil and beat well.

6. Add flour and spices and fold in with a wooden spoon.

7. Lastly add the pecan nuts into to the cake batter and mix them together. You can now pour the cake batter into cake tin that you lined earlier.

8. Bake at the cake for approximately at 180°C for approximately 25 to 30 minutes and thereafter decrease the heat to 150°C and bake for a further 1 hours.

9. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool completely in the tin.

10. Once it has reached room temperature or cooler you can glaze it with homemade frosting and decorate it with cherries or nuts. You will be amazed how much the children love this cake as the one I baked vanished from the tin over the weekend.

Preparation time: 2 to 3 hours

Serves: 8 to 12

Tips: To prevent over browning on the surface of the cake, cover it with aluminium foil.