Boiled Fruit Cake
500g Mixed Fruit
1/2 cup sherry or brandy
1 cup water
125g butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon boiling water
2 x eggs
1 cup self raising flour
1 cup plain flour
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
blanched almonds for decoration
1. Soak fruit overnight in sherry or brandy
2. Place soaked fruit, water, butter, golden syrup and sugar in a saucepan. Slowly bring to the boil then remove from heat and add bicarbonate of soda mixed with 1 tablespoon boiling water. Cool for 15 minutes.
3. Add lightly beaten eggs mixing thoroughly. Fold in sifted flours, spices and vanilla essence.
4. Place in a 20cm round square cake tin. Decorate with almonds. Bake at 160°C for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool in tin.