Ingredients
Three-in-one basic fruit mix
Method
1.Three-in-one basic fruit mix. Combine ingredients in large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap. Store in a cool, dark place for a month (or longer, if desired) before using. Stir mixture every two or three days
2.Preheat oven to 150°C (130°C fan-forced). Line base and side of a deep 22cm-round cake pan (or deep 19cm-square cake pan) with two layers of brown paper and two layers of baking paper, extending paper 5cm over the side(s) of pan.
3.Beat butter, sugar and marmalade in medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition.
4.Transfer butter mixture to large bowl, stir in combined sifted flours and spices, and basic fruit mix.
5.Spoon mixture into pan, smooth top. Decorate with nuts, if desired. Bake about 3-3½ hours.
6.Brush top of hot cake with brandy. Cover hot cake tightly with foil, cool in pan.
7.When cooled, turn cake out, leave lining paper intact. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
8.Close to serving, brush top of cake with extra marmalade, if desired.
This basic fruit mix is enough to make a pudding (boiled or steamed) large enough to serve 10 people, a regular-sized cake and a dozen mince pies.
Note
