How to make the best fruit christmas cake

Gather ingredients

The day before making the cake, measure all of the dried fruits into a bowl and soak them in the brandy and black tea. Leave overnight to let them absorb the liquid

Grease and line a 10" (25cm) deep round cake tin with a double layer of grease proof paper. Wrap brown paper around the outside of the tin and tie with string (this may be a two person job!).

To a large mixing bowel add: Flour, spices, margarine, sugar, eggs, almonds, treacle, lemon and orange zest Preheat the oven to 140°C (275°F/Gas 1)

Beat well to mix thoroughly - a Machine is best for this but can be done by hand. You'll certainly develop muscles if you do it that way though!

Gradually add the flour. You should mix until a soft consistency is reached

Gradually fold in the soaked fruit to the cake batter and ensure it is mixed thoroughly

Resist the temptation to lick the spoon!!

Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon.

Looks almost good enough to eat!

Cover the top of the cake mix with a layer of greaseproof paper. Bake in the oven for 4 1/2 hours or until the cake feels firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean

Don't worry if the top is slightly uneven as this will actually be the bottom of your cake!

Voila! Over the next few months you should feed it with 2tbsp of brandy every 2 weeks. You will then cover with marzipan and icing 2 weeks before Christmas. In the meantime keep wrapped in waxed paper