Guinness cake

Name: Guinness cake
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Yield: Serves 10
Ingredients: juice and finely grated rind of 1 lemon and 1 orange; 225 g (7¼ oz) soft brown sugar; 220 ml (7 fl oz) Guinness; juice and finely grated rind of 1 lemon and 1 orange; 100 g (3¼ oz) dates, chopped; 50 g (1¾ oz) dried apples, chopped; 100 g (3¼ oz) dried pears, chopped; 100 g (3¼ oz) dried peaches, chopped; pinch of ground cardamom; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; 310 g (10 oz) plain flour; 5 eggs, lightly beaten; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 110 ml (3¾ fl oz) brandy; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 75 g (2½ oz) walnut or pecan halves, for decoration; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 150 g (5 oz) apricot jam, optional; 250 g (8 oz) mixed glacé fruits, for decoration; 75 g (2½ oz) walnut or pecan halves, for decoration; 225 g (7¼ oz) raisins; 225 g (7¼ oz) sultanas; 225 g (7¼ oz) unsalted butter; 170 g (5½ oz) dried apricots, chopped; 50 g (1¾ oz) glacé cherries, halved; 50 g (1¾ oz) chopped mixed peel; 100 g (3¼ oz) currants

Preparation info

Serves
10

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
3 hr 30

Appears in

Cakes

By Le Cordon Bleu

Published 1999

About

This cake is a wonderful alternative to a classical iced Christmas cake. Serve it plain or decorated with glazed fruits for a special occasion.

Ingredients

225 g (7¼ oz) unsalted butter
225 g (7¼

Christmas
Cake
Vegetarian

Method

Combine the butter, fruit, sugar, lemon and orange rind and juice, Guinness and brandy in a saucepan. Bring to the boil over medium heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cardamom to the mixture and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and soak for 3 days in a cool place, stirring dai