Christmas fruit cake

Step 1

Place dried fruit, glace fruit and 1 cup brandy in a large airtight container. Mix well. Cover and stand overnight or preferably for 1 week, stirring occasionally.

Step 2

Lightly grease a 9cm deep, 20cm (base) square cake pan. Line base and sides with brown paper and baking paper (see note). Preheat oven to 150°C. Sift flours and spices into a bowl. Using electric beaters, cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add marmalade and 1 tablespoon flour mixture and beat until well combined. Using a large metal spoon, fold remaining flour mixture into butter mixture.

Step 3

Add fruit mixture to butter mixture and stir until combined. Press into pan. Smooth surface. Tap base of pan on workbench to settle fruit and remove air bubbles.

Step 4

Cover cake with 3 layers brown paper. Bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons brandy over cake while still hot. Wrap cake pan in a clean tea towel and allow to cool completely. Remove cake from pan and dust with icing sugar. Serve.