over the weekend I baked the first Christmas Cake of the year, noramlly I do two, one for me and one for my friend. Its still naked but I tarted it up for the photo, now its gone to sleep wrapped up tightly in greaseproof paper and silver foil, ready for its big day....

Its a 'Bero' Christmas Cake, with the fruit soaked in brandy for two days, occasionally stirred. One year I tried the fruit soaked in warm cider but din't like the result, its much more moist with brandy, even though most of the alcohol gets baked away.