Ring Fruit Cake

From ancient times, the circle and the ring have been important symbols at times of festivity, possibly a reference to the significance of the sun and the moon during the growing season. The round garlands of greenery tied on to doors at Christmas are a relic of such early belief. So a fruit cake baked in a ring shape seems particularly apt for the festivities that fall close to the shortest day.

Instead of marzipan and royal icing as the cake’s decoration, I prefer preserved fruits