Ingredients
Fortnum and Mason Christmas cakes are made with a few simple ingredients, including butter, sugar, eggs, flour, currants, sultanas, mixed peel, glacé cherries, almonds, mixed spice, and brandy. It’s important to use the best quality ingredients when making a Christmas cake, as it will make a huge difference to the finished product.
Instructions
The first step in making a Fortnum and Mason Christmas cake is to preheat your oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas Mark 2. Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) cake tin with baking parchment. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the flour, currants, sultanas, mixed peel, glacé cherries, almonds, and mixed spice. Stir in the brandy and pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Bake in the preheated oven for two and a half to three hours, until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating and Finishing Touches
Once the cake has cooled, you can begin to decorate. Start by brushing the top of the cake with a little brandy. This will help the marzipan to adhere to the cake. Roll out some marzipan to a thickness of about 5mm (1/4 inch) and place it on top of the cake. Smooth down the edges and trim off any excess. For a smooth finish, you can brush the marzipan with a little warm, clear jam. Now you’re ready to cover the cake with fondant icing. Roll out the icing to a thickness of about 5mm (1/4 inch) and drape it over the cake. Smooth down the edges and trim off any excess. To finish, you can pipe a decorative border around the edge of the cake.
Serving
Serve the cake as is, or cut into slices and serve with a dollop of cream or a scoop of ice cream. You can also decorate the cake with festive decorations such as holly leaves and berries, or with a message written in icing.
Storage
Once decorated, the cake should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It will keep for up to two months.
Nutrition
One slice of Fortnum and Mason Christmas cake contains approximately 300 calories, 15g of fat, 35g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein. It also contains a small amount of dietary fibre and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Conclusion
Fortnum and Mason Christmas cakes are a classic festive treat that are sure to be a hit with family and friends. The combination of buttery, spiced cake and marzipan and fondant icing makes for a delicious and indulgent treat. Best of all, it’s easy to make and store, so you can enjoy it throughout the holiday season.