CHRISTMAS CAKE

Christmas is the best time of the year ... chilli weather.. amazing feel... no words to describe it.... I am not a christian but every year i celebrate christmas and christmas eve... decorating christmas tree making of christmas cake..... just amazing....

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Raisins

1/2 cup Sultanas / dried black currants

1 cup fruit mix

1/2 cup Almonds (toasted and roughly chopped)

1/2 cup walnuts

3/4 cup All purpose flour/ Maida

1/4  cup  Granulated sugar

1/4 cup Molasses

1  Egg, lightly beaten

56gm unsalted butter

1/2  cup Apple juice

1/2  brandy/ rum

1 tsp mixed spices(clove , cinnamon , nutmeg)

1  teaspoon Vanilla extract

1  teaspoon Lemon zest

1  tablespoon Orange rind

1/2  teaspoon Baking soda

1/2  teaspoon Baking powder

METHOD

Roughly chop raisins, sultanas and the fruit mix. Combine the chopped dried fruits with lemon zest and orange rind.
Add brandy/rum to this mixture.keep it for 4 weeks mixing it once everyday for good results.
In a large pan place the dried fruits zest rind fruits mixture. Over medium heat, add sugar, molasses, butter, spices and apple juice.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool it to lukewarm.
Preheat oven to 170 degrees C. Sift all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder .
Add the dry ingredients  to the liquid mixture.
Now, fold in lightly beaten eggs  and integrate into the batter.
Combine the nuts and vanilla extract to the batter.
Butter or spray vegetable oil and prepare a square cake pan/ loaf pan. If you have parchment paper, line the pan with that.
Pour prepared batter into the prepared pan and set the oven timer 60 minutes . Check cake after 50 minutes for doneness. If not, bake for another 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Mine was done in 60 minutes...
Remove cake from oven. Cool the fruitcake completely in the pan. Using a skewer prick holes on top of the cake. Bast with Cognac/ Brandy/ Rum/ non-alcoholic substitute. Remove from the pan.
Wrap fruitcake in plastic wrap/ cling film + aluminum foil. Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container and store at room temperature.

Recipe taken fromhttp://kitchenkemistry.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/christmas-2011-and-delectable-
delights/


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JUJUBES

Christmas is right corner and wanna make something different this time for my nephew.... He likes market bought jujubes as they are in attractive colors and sugary.... But they are loaded with preservatives ...so wanna make fresh for him.... tried for first time and got it perfect ... he just loved it and want all of them to have at once.... Just love cooking for him... my life....

Ingredients

Sugar 250 gms
Gelatin 2.5 tbsp
Food colour few drops( i used red and green for christmas)
Oil 1 tsp (for greasing)
Lemon juice 1/4 cup( fresh)
Water 1/2 cup
Powdered sugar for coating

Method

Mix all except oil and let it cook on low for 10 minutes.
Grease a square dish with oil .
Pour the mixture over it and leave overnight or at least for 8-10 hrs to set.
Cut in cubes and coat it with powdered sugar.
Keep it in air tight container.

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