~ * The ORIGINAL - 'Aardvark Antics' : A "FOODIE" Blog * ~ * 'SOLDIER' Christmas CAKE ! ! * ~

THIS recipe was one of some that was cooked by families from Australia to send to their loved ones in the trenches during WORLD WAR I !

SOLDIER Christmas CAKE

250g (chopped) seeded raisins
250g sultanas
25g currants
125g (chopped) glace cherries
125g (chopped) mixed peel/citrus fruit rind
125g (chopped) blanched almonds
2/3 cup brandy or orange juice
2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup self-raising flour
pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon mixed spice
250g butter
1-1/2 brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark jam (plum?) or marmalade
4 eggs

* MIX raisins with sultanas, currants, cherries, mixed peel/rind and almonds; SPRINKLE with brandy or orange juice. SIFT flours with salt and spices. BEAT butter and sugar - "cream" butter first, THEN add sugar for lightness, UNTIL light and "fluffy"; ADD jam, beat again.
ADD eggs; ONE at a time, beating well AFTER each addition !

* FOLD in fruit and flour mixtures alternatively, mix thoroughly. SPOON into a deep 20cm ROUND cake tin, lined with two (2) LAYERS of aluminium foil and greaseproof paper; bake in a moderate oven for thirty (30) minutes. REDUCE heat to moderately slow; cook for 2-1/2 - 3 hours. TEST with fine skewer before removing from oven !