Christmas Cake

I think you do need to have a blueprint for a basic fruit cake that you can make up in whatever size you need. I’ve already given you recipes from Hettie Potter, who’s worked with me on this book; she gave me this, too, from her brother-in-law’s mother, Hazel, in New Zealand. The only change I make is to ignore the suggestion of brandy or sherry in favour of Marsala. You do entirely as you wish.

As with all rich fruit cakes, this should be made at l