THE MANOR XMAS CAKE (1 )

25th of November 23', today I prepared The Manor Xmas cake and I have another two on order. I have a large bowl where I empty all the left over dried fruit ,granulated nuts , choc bits and glazed fruit into over the year , that is kept airtight . This mixture is then used in my Xmas cake preparation . Preheat your oven to 180 deg C . First I mix the left over dried / glazed fruit and nut / choc bit , together until well combined . Into a large pot place 4 cupfuls of the mixed fruit / nut / chocolate mix . Add 2 cups of soft brown sugar ( firmly packed ). 220 gm of butter/ marg . 1 dsp of bi carb of soda and 2 cups of water . Slowly bring this mix to a slow simmer . Simmer for 1 minute only . Remove from heat and cool ( how cool ? well you are going to be adding eggs and you don't want them cooking ! ). In a separate bowl mix together 1 cup of plain flour and 3 cups of self raising flour . Add the flour mix to the fruit batter and lastly beat 4 eggs together in a separate bowl and then stir through the cake mixture until well combined . You will need a large pan , I used a 25 cm bell shaped pan , well greased and lightly sprinkled with polenta / or flour. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 2 hours or more ... check when the cake is done by inserting a skewer into the cake at differnt angles , when the skewer comes out clean the cake will be ready . Remove from the oven and leave the cake in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove to a wire rack lined with a teatowel . Cover the cake with another layer of teatowel on top until completely cooled . Then place in an airtight tin or container in a cool , dark spot until you are ready to decorate .