A symphony of colours and flavours, this cake is a celebration, making it a cherished centrepiece for joyous occasions. At the heart of this confection is a moist and decadent cake base, generously infused with an array of candied fruits. Each slice offers a burst of vibrant hues, from ruby red cherries to golden orange peel, creating a visually appealing mosaic within the velvety crumb. The inclusion of succulent raisins or currants adds a delightful contrast, making every bite a medley of textures. Elevate your holiday gatherings with a slice of joy and tradition.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cooking time 1 hour 30 minutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
Directions
Ingredients
For the Cake:
500ml (2 cups) water
250ml (1 cup) brown sugar
250g butter
1kg Food Lover’s Market festive cake mix
5ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
2.5ml (1/2 tsp) ground ginger
2.5ml (1/2 tsp) ground allspice
5ml (1 tsp) bicarbonate of soda
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
500ml (2 cups) cake flour, sifted
125ml (1/2 cup) brandy or tropical fruit juice
For the Icing:
40g unsalted butter, softened
80g cream cheese, softened
330ml (1 1/3 cup) icing sugar
5ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
To Decorate:
5-7 dried orange slices
100g Food Lover’s Cheeky Cherries
Icing sugar, for dusting
Directions
For the Cake:
Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a 22cm cake tin with parchment paper and non-stick spray.
In a large pot over medium heat, bring the water, sugar and butter to a boil and heat until the butter is melted.
Add the festive cake mix and boil for a further 5 minutes until the raisins soften.
Allow the mixture to cool down, then add the spices and bicarbonate of soda and mix thoroughly.
Add the eggs and mix well again before sifting and folding in the flour.
Pour the cake mixture into your prepared cake tin and bake for 90 minutes. The top should be golden brown and an inserted skewer should come out clean.
Remove from the oven and pour over the brandy or tropical fruit juice so the cake gets nice and moist.
For the Icing:
In a medium size bowl, using an electric beater, beat the butter until light and fluffy.
Add the cream cheese and beat again until smooth and well combined. Add the icing sugar, vanilla extract and lemon zest and beat until smooth.
To Decorate:
Allow the cake to cool completely before topping with the icing.
Decorate with cherries and dried orange slices and finish it all off with a dusting of icing sugar. Enjoy!
Additional Notes
You will be able to find our Festive Cake Mix and Cheeky Cherries at our closest Food Lover’s Market store.