Mini Candied Fruit Cakes

The thing I really love about Christmas is baking. This year I decided to make fruit cakes, I have never made it before so fingers crossed! I love a good old fashioned fruit cake and my Christmas wouldn't seem complete without them. So here's an easy and delicious recipe that I would like to share with you.

Ingredients:

500g mixed dried fruit

1 cup dried cranberries

180g butter, chopped

1/2 firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup rum, brandy or whisky

2 eggs lightly beaten

2/3 cups roughly chopped walnuts

1/2 cup plain flour

1/2 cup self-raising flour

1/2 tsp mixed spice

1/2 cup apricot jam

2 tbsp slivered almonds

Method:

* Preheat oven to 160C. Grease 6 x 10cm springform tins and line bases with non-stick baking paper.

* Combine dried fruit, butter, sugar, 1/3 cup water and rum in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When mixture boils, remove from heat and set aside to cool or until just warm.

* Stir  in eggs and walnuts, then sifted flours and spice. Spoon into prepared tins and smooth the surface. Bake for 35 mins, until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.  Cool in tins for 10 mins, then release the sides and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

* Warm jam and push through a sieve to remove any lumps. Brush over tops of cakes, and sprinkle with almonds.

Makes 6.

I really love glace fruit! It makes a wonderful addition to fruit cakes and so ideal for Christmas!