I really need to get a wriggle on with making a fruit cake! You can feed the Christmas cake once a week or so with a tablespoon or two of cherry brandy right up until a few days before you're ready to ice the cake (presuming that you are going to ice … Before you soak it in liquid each week, do check the texture of the sponge. It's not wrong to mix spirits. It helps to poke holes in the top of the cake with a skewer before feeding it, to encourage the liquor to soak into the cake. Fed on brandy as often as I remember can be faffed to unwrap the bloody things on as much as glugs out on that occasion. About to make Delia's Classic Christmas cake. I made our Christmas cake a week ago. Never turned mine either but will try it this year! I do have some whiskey though, do you think it will matter if I use that or is it wrong to mix spirits? By adding more moisture to the cake. In my nursing days I always used to bring home a syringe and needle and inject my cake. Secure it all with an elastic band, then keep it in an airtight container till needed. Though this recipe may look complicated, it's actually quite approachable if you assemble and weigh all the ingredients and line the cake tin before you start. I wrap the cake in two sheets of baking paper, and a layer of foil, then pack into a snug cake tin. Cool the cake on a wire rack for an hour, then remove it from the pan to cool completely. @ali991 . Poke holes gently with a skewer all around the top of the cake. I use about half a tea cup of brandy and once the holes are made pour tiny amounts into/over them. After all, you need to leave room for a mince pie. I don't ice any more as no-one likes it so it can just sit there and mature for years and years..... DaysOfCurlySpence God I never feed the wonderful Creole cake, you probably need a breathalyser just sniffing it! You can keep it simple or go full-on-festive – the hardest thing is deciding how you want to do it. I had a friend from Portsmouth send me a Christmas Cake and from what I understand it was a very good one, but it tasted gross to my family. Then the next time I feed, I turn the cake upside-down and feed the other side. Exactly as above.A cake fed on half a tea cup of brandy a week from now to Christmas would be lethal come the day , haven't people been arrestedd for being over the limit after eating Christmas cake before?Was it yours Binfull? All you need at this late stage is to feed your mixture regularly over the next three weeks with a bit of alcohol. Cheating partner outed during death of my father.. My DP is currently completely drunk in the garden, “He wouldn’t be where he is if I hadn’t sacrificed my career”. !But that didn't stop me enjoying a good glug of sherry out of the bottle whilst making the chicken gravy today....then noticing two elderly dog walkers stood watching me through the kitchen door!! Some people prefer brandy – I’m a cognac man. Peel off the baking parchment, then wrap well in a clean sheet of baking parchment followed by … A capful a week, with said holes in cake. Leave the cake to cool in the tin. boredbutnotlazy. All seemed fine n dandy. I use about half a tea cup of brandy and once the holes are made pour tiny amounts into/over them. Make sure that you re-wrap the cake tightly after each feeding. How often do … Some people do like to feed their puddings and you could do this if you like but we would only use a little alcohol and again make sure that the pudding is properly re-wrapped after feeding. Tea cup/Egg cup<>Of course it's a egg-cup Binfull , of course it is. (side with the alcohol poured on it facing up). These will allow the liquid to seep into the cake and infuse the fruit. If you're maturing the cake for three months, stop feeding about two weeks before decorating to ensure that it isn't wet. Icing your Christmas cake is fun and a great way to get yourself in the Christmas spirit. I am using a recipe for Creole cake which uses a fair amount of booze, I have always used this kind of recipe, however I also feed them by making small holes with a thin skewer on the bottom first, drip a teaspoon or 2 of brandy or whisky over where the holes are and leave wrapped in foil for a few days until it isn't damp, then turn it over and repeat with the top. We always suggest first wrapping the cake in a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment (parchment paper) before wrapping in foil as the fruits in the cake can react with the metals in the foil. I always use brandy in my christmas cake and I feed it once a fortnight. Nigella's Traditional Christmas Cake recipe (from Nigella Christmas) warms the dried fruits in alcohol then leaves them to soak overnight. Made mine on Thursday (made the house smell gorgeous!) It is also traditional to “feed” christmas cakes with alcohol to help preserve them. I've only just finished baking my cake doesthat mean i will need a cupful of brandy from now till Xmas day on ny cake ! We always suggest first wrapping the cake … Make sure that you re-wrap the cake tightly after each feeding. Then, prick the surface of the cake with a toothpick or skewer and slowly pour over 2 to 3 tablespoons brandy. Store the cake wrapped in foil and in an airtight tin or plastic container, holes side up. No British holiday is complete without a classic Christmas cake. My cake is getting a shot of amaretto once a week, smells amazing. Should I feed the cake once a week? To do this, after the cake has been baked, let it cool a bit, then make a few small holes in it with a skewer or the end of a knife etc. I've made 3 Deliah cakes.I have a cheap Spanish brandy from Lidl! Might give it some bourbon next week. So what do you think haha? Feeding the Christmas cake....with what, how and when?! This is page 1 of 2 (This thread has 26 messages.). Using a skewer, prick several holes into the top of your cake. Pour over a couple of tablespoons of alcohol (whichever you prefer). We always used whisky. Whether you made your cake on stir-up Sunday or bought it ready-made; now it’s time to decorate. 4 Answers. xx. Wrap the completely cold cake in a double layer of … 9 years ago. It's absolutely fine.I have used rum and whiskey in the past. I made my cake with rum, and it has been fed with Cointreau and apple cider brandy so far. Thank you {% member.data['first-name'] %}.Your comment has been submitted. There's some advice on the Nigella website for wet fruit cakes: "If they have not absorbed the alcohol from a previous feeding then you could leave them unwrapped for a couple of days in a cool place (cover loosely with a clean tea towel) and some of the excess alcohol should evaporate. and will feed it ish weekly. Put 1kg mixed dried fruit, the zest and juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon, 150ml brandy or other alcohol, 250g softened butter and 200g light, soft brown sugar in a large pan set over a medium heat. To use this feature subscribe to Mumsnet Premium - get first access to new features see fewer ads, and support Mumsnet. Plus the cake is made well in advance – I usually make mine 6 weeks before Christmas so it can mature. Does it enhance or detract from the pudding? Once you’ve cooked it, you only have to feed it with a little brandy to make it nice and moist. Off to turn my cake - never done that before Though my DH seems to think the brandy is for him and it’s nearly finished.., will have to get another bottle . As I said a couple of posts ago, if you want to eat top-quality food at Christmas, you need to make your own, or spend a fortune at Harrod’s. once a week, usually Sunday afternoon. Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F (140°C fan). Favourite answer. Recipe says when it's cold feed with a couple of tablespoons of brandy before wrapping up. Realky sozzled . Then wrap each muslin-covered cake really well in tin foil. Soak a cheesecloth with alcohol, fruit juice or syrup. Instead of buying more brandy, can I feed my cake with whisky or rum (one or the other) up until Christmas? Shot for the cake, shot for me I made it at the end of October, as always, so it should be pretty soused by Christmas Day. For a rich and moist cake, spoon over a few tablespoons of brandy every week until you are … How do I feed a Christmas Cake? So why when I go to feed the cake today does it feel really moist, soggy on the top and bottom, almost uncooked? (side with the alcohol poured on it facing up). Built by Embark. For those who like a well-brandied cake, a little 'feeding' of the cake at odd intervals (say, weekly) before Christmas will add an extra dimension to it. Wrap the cake in the soaked cheesecloth and place it in the refrigerator. Planning to do it on nov 25th.I am following the Mary berry recipe, which uses brandy, but it's not very clear on the feedIng process. If you're using alcohol make tiny holes on the surface of the cake and gently pour a table spoon or two every two weeks. I use Grand Marnier on mine - the intense orangeyness is really yummy in the cake. We recommend that you Marzipan the cake a week before … To begin unwrap the top of the cake, you can leave the sides covered. vamos lucky for me I don't like the taste of the neat brandy I'm using in the cake....! I just drizzle a bit off whatever alcohol I have in over the top when I remember. This soaking is needed to help the dried fruits to rehydrate and become plump and soft, otherwise the cake will be a little dry. We have not found it necessary to feed Nigella's Christmas Pudding as steaming it means that it remains moist during cooking. Should I have waited to ice and fed a bit more?Eek . Thanks, Fiona. If you have run out of brandy then it is perfectly possible to use alternative liquors to feed the cake and you can use whichever you prefer. Ended it with a guy who turned out to be a psycho. I bake it early in October and feed it right up to the week before xmas, then I put on the marzipan, and leave the marzipan to dry out for a week, then royal icing to finish on christmas eve. If you are feeding weekly then 1-2 tablespoons alcohol per feeding should be enough. How often do you feed a cake, HOW do you feed it and how much brandy would I use each time?Also, does it matter if it's cheap brandy? Feed a cold starve a fever, no its starve a fever and feed a cold....oh wait its drink the brandy not feed the cake. What to feed your Christmas cake with. Christmas Cake Tip #7: Mix things up with the Christmas decorations. Then re-wrap in greaseproof paper, foil and then store in an airtight container. Get creative and turn a classic fruit cake into a showstopping centrepiece with these edible Christmas cake decorations. Has anyone ever used port? !Thank you!! Do you have questions about creating positive bathroom habits and routines? Once they feel drier then you can re-wrap them and then maybe only feed them very sparingly." I use Sainsbo's French Brandy. Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin. Answer Save. Find out what Mumsnet users thought of Echo by Lloyd’s Pharmacy, Do you have questions about car maintenance or opinions on your previous experiences when sorting out an MOT or service? Repeat this feeding every two weeks up until Christmas. Turn it over each week so it gets a feed a different side each time.I make mine end Oct as we start it mid Dec. Hmm, never turned mine over in all the years I've been making Christmas cakes. I might give it a shot of rum at some point, just for variety.It'll get marizipan about a week and a half before Christmas and then royal iced about a week before. If you are feeding weekly then 1-2 tablespoons alcohol per feeding should be enough. Talk widget showing discussions of the day & trending threads, Subscribe to Mumsnet emails direct to your inbox. Anything to preserve the cake and keep it moist.I still use the same method from 6th form Home Ec. . When cool, pierce the cake at intervals with a fine skewer and feed with a little extra brandy. What equipment do you need to marzipan a cake? Asked by faydaqld. Hi, I'm into the third week of feeding. You don't necessarily need to use fresh wrapping materials after each feeding, just make sure that the cake can be re-wrapped fairly tightly. Feed a Christmas cake.... with what, how and when?, do you need to use this subscribe. A psycho to create a Mumsnet account my nursing days I always use brandy in my cake... 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