Not long now till we can greet you at House of Coffee and have a chat and hear all about your improved cake making skills. ‘Til we see you next week, here is our favourite farmhouse fruit cake – the type of cake that was always on offer at Grandma’s!
Farmhouse Fruit Cake
Ingredients
175g soft spread (stork)
175g caster sugar
175g self-raising flour
3 eggs
Splash of milk
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
1 teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg
Good shake of cayenne pepper
150g sultanas
150g raisins
50g mixed peel (optional)
Brown sugar crystals
Method
Preheat your oven to 175*c /160*fan/gas mark 4/350f.
Prepare a 900g/2lb loaf tin. Either with a loaf tin liner, or greaseproof paper.
Using the all-in-one method mix the spread, sugar, flour, eggs, essence with an electric whisk till soft, light, and creamy. You can do this by hand, but it takes time, but builds up those arm muscles!
Add the splash of milk to slightly loosen the mix. Add your spices and mix well. Then fold in your dried fruit Pour into your prepared pan and level off. Sprinkle with brown sugar crystals.
Place in centre of preheated oven for around 40-50 mins (depending on your oven). Check after 45 mins. If your cake skewer comes out slightly damp, give it a few more minutes til dry.
Once cake skewer dry, remove from oven, and cool in tin for 5 minutes then place on a wire cooling tray till cold.
Leave to cool and serve in large slices with a lovely cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy!!