Quick Christmas Cake

 (makes 1 large cake)

INGREDIENTS

500g dried fruit cake mix
375 ml water
250 ml sugar
125 g butter or margarine
125 ml brandy
10 ml bicarbonate of soda
2 extra large eggs
500 ml Snowflake cake flour
2 ml salt
125 g red glace cherries , halved

METHOD

• Mix fruit, water , sugar and  butter in a heavy based saucepan and simmer for about 20 minutes.Stir occasionally and leave to cool.
• Add brandy and bicarb to fruit. Beat eggs and add.
• Sift flour, salt and add cherries, mix thoroughly.
• Add to fruit mixture and mix all well.Line a deep round 23 cm cake pan with a baking sheet.Grease well.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C for about 45 minutes.Reduce heat to 140°C and bake further for about 20 minutes.
• Leave cake to cool off completely in tin.
• Sprinkle with additional brandy if desired.