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Simple Light Christmas Cake

Ingredients:

Lot 1

225g/8oz Odlums Cream Plain Flour

175g/6oz Margarine or Butter (room temperature)

175g/6oz Shamrock Light Muscovado Sugar

4 large Eggs

Rind of 1 Lemon

Rind of 1 Orange

½ teaspoon Mixed Spice

½ teaspoon Nutmeg

2 tablespoons Whiskey (optional)

Lot 2

500g Pack Shamrock Luxury Fruit Mix

100g Tub Shamrock Cherries

100g Tub Shamrock Mixed Peel

100g Pack Shamrock Chopped Almonds

100g Pack Shamrock Ground Almonds

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 120°C/220°F/Gas 1/2. Line a deep 19 cm / 8" round or 18 cm / 7" square cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment.
2. Place all the ingredients from Lot 1 into a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
3. Mix Lot 2 ingredients together and add to Lot 1. Stir until well combined.
4. Transfer to the prepared tin. Smooth the top.
5. Bake for 4-5 hours approximately. Check at intervals after 2 1/2 hours.
6. Leave cake in the tin until cold.
7. To decorate: Brush with heated jam or honey and cover with almond paste or marzipan. Leave for 24 hours to "set".
8. Brush almond paste or marzipan with a little alcohol and cover with ready to roll icing.
9. Decorate as liked.