Australian Christmas Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups golden raisins
• 1 cup currants
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup red candied cherries
• 1/2 cup mixed citrus peel
• 1/3 cup rum
• 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons butter, room temp
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 4 medium eggs
• 2 Tablespoons apricot jam
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 4 ounces slivered almonds
• confectioners sugar (to dust)

Directions

1. Combine golden raisins, currants, raisins, cherries, citrus peel and rum in a large bowl, cover, and stand for 1 hour or until ready to use.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F.
3. Grease and line base and sides of a 9 inch round (23cm) cake pan or a 9x 5 inch loaf pan with two layers of parchment paper.
4. Place butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat until light and creamy.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in jam.
6. Add creamed mixture to fruit mixture.
7. Sifted in flour, cinnamon, mixed spices and mix well. Stir in almonds.
8. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 2 1/2 -3 hours or until cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
9. Cover cake and allow to cool in pan overnight.
10. Dust cake with confectioners sugar to serve.