An oldie but a goodie

Recently one of my fellow foodies on a UK forum I visit had a question about a boiled fruitcake - now there was a blast from my past.

As a child my mother made a lot of boiled fruitcakes but in my child's mind it seemed such a long winded and difficult affair with a result that was memorable but never thought I could be bothered.

Fast forward to today and on the shopping list given to my husband (who is a list stickler) whilst I was having my eyes tested was mixed fruit.

God love him he bought 100% Australian grown and owned and a supermarket brand!! I have to admit I rarely buy supermarket brand (possibly snobbery) but I was rather proud he bought something Aussie owned and grown.

I was about to repack it into the container when my eyes spied a recipe on the back........

Quick and Easy Fruit Cake

Now I would have paid no more attention to it because again, I rarely use a recipe off the back of a packet (can't explain) but when I saw the method, I knew it was a sign that I had to make it - sure enough it was a boiled fruit cake.

So with thanks to IGA and their "signature" Brand here is the recipe:-

120g margarine (NOT butter)
170g sugar
340g Australian Mixed Fruit (it may possibly taste different it it is Australian!! - Only joking)
225mls water (I reckon you could do 175mls water and 50mls of whiskey for another flavour level)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 generous teaspoon of mixed spice
2 beaten eggs
120g Plain flour
120g self raising flour
Pinch Salt


Method

It couldn't be easier.......

Preheat your oven to 180C then grease a 20cm round tin and line the bottom and the sides (I have just bought a lot of pre cut round bottoms in varying sizes papers from Lakeland in the UK - they are fantastic)

Combine the margarine, sugar, fruit, water, bi carb, spice and bring to the boil it will look like this

Pour into a bowl and allow to cool - meanwhile, have a coffee it will take around 30 minutes to cool (you could wait and put the oven on now if you want).

Once cool add the flour, eggs and salt and mix well using a wooden spoon and pour into the tin.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tested in the centre it comes out clean.

Allow to cool (or coolish)


Cut and enjoy.

So did it taste like my mums? - yes I think so - maybe moister, as I remember when having mums I needed a very large glass of milk and I have to say I am very tempted to still have a glass of milk with it - just for old times sake.