Every Christmas table needs a fruit cake – make this one yours this year.
Ingredients
Method
1.Grease a 20cm square x 8cm-deep cake pan. Line base and sides with two layers of brown paper, then one layer of baking paper. Extend brown and baking paper 3cm above pan edges.
2.Combine fruit, peel, almonds and ¼ cup of the plain flour in a large bowl. Toss to coat.
3.Beat sugar, butter and rinds in a small bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined. Mixture will look curdled at this point. Transfer to a large bowl. Sift remaining flours over the top. Add sherry. Stir until combined. Stir in fruit mixture. Spoon into prepared pan. Smooth over top.
4.Cook in a moderately slow oven (160C) for about 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil during cooking if top starts to over-brown. Remove from oven. Wrap hot cake and pan in a clean tea towel. Cool completely in pan.