Satisfying your sweet tooth
Baked products are enjoyable snacks that are ideal all year round. It doesn't matter the type of pastry, fruits are important ingredients which give flavour to the product. This also gives the cake its richness and enhances the taste.
In order to add moisture to the dried fruits before using them in the mixture, soak in desired liquid such as red wine, fruit wine, rum and brandy. To save time and money, preserve leftovers after the Christmas season.
After you have completed your Christmas baking, here are tips on preserving the leftover fruits, so they can serve you all year round:
- Soak the fruits in a mixture of red wine and rum to soften the tissue of the fruits and also to develop the flavour from the liquids.
- Fruit wine can be used for persons who do not consume alcoholic beverages.
- Add spice such as cinnamon powder and nutmeg for flavour.
- Make sure the liquid level of wine and rum is above the fruit level.
- Cover in a container.
- Stir from time to time.
- The fruits will absorb the liquid, so add more wine and rum so that the liquid remains above the fruit level.
- Each time you use, make sure you add more liquid for preservative and return the covering back in place.
- This mixture can serve up to a year.
BAKING A CHRISTMAS CAKE
3 cups flour
3 cups sugar (brown)
2 cups butter
3 tsp baking powder
1 dozen eggs
1/2 lb mixed fruits
1/2 lb raisins
2 tbsp rum
1/2 cup wine
1/2 cup molasses
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mixed spice
Method
1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Beat eggs thoroughly.
3. Add to the creamed butter and sugar.
4. Add flour 1 cup at a time (sift).
5. Add baking powder and salt.
6. Stir in soaked fruits, mixed spice, vanilla, rum, wine and molasses until you get a smooth paste.
7. Bake at 350°.