CHRISTMAS CAKE

November 27, 2014

Let’s Get Ready for Christmas!

The snow arrived and with it we have been having cold winds. It’s just the right weather to stay indoors.

I was alone all day yesterday so when breakfast was over, I decided to stay put and do all the decorating. I have about 40 Christmas houses all packed in boxes in the garage, a tree that is in the crawl space and house decorations packed in the hall closet.

Because I was alone, I took everything out, spread it all out and one by one, put everything in its place. Once the boxes were all packed away, I cleaned up and sat down to enjoy a cup of tea and I had thoughts of past Christmases. Most of our decorations have a history and are part of our family tradition. It was good to get it all done in one day.

This evening I decided to make a small batch of Christmas cake. Mom always made a delicious dark Christmas cake that I just loved and I like to make her recipe a priority every year.

The problem is, most of our family members do not like raisins and cherries so I usually make a small batch and serve it when we have guests. Of course I enjoy it myself through the holiday season. I have a loaf from this past Christmas that I wrapped & froze well. We will take it out this coming Christmas.

MOM’S DARK CHRISTMAS CAKE – I bake this batch in 5 smaller bread pans.

1 pound raisins

1 pound glazed red cherries

2/3 pound glazed green cherries

½ cup chopped walnuts

2/3 cup crushed pineapple with the juice

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

½ cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup brown sugar

3 large eggs

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/3 cup flour

Start by preparing the fruits. Wash and drain the raisins. Chop the cherries. Mix the raisins and cherries with 1/3 cup of the flour. Set aside.

Beat the butter. Beat in the sugar and then the eggs one at a time. Beat in the salt, cinnamon, flavoring and pineapple. Beat in the flour and baking soda.

Stir in the floured fruit and walnuts.

Spoon the mixture 2/3 full in greased bread pans.

Put a pan of water into oven during baking time. Bake the cakes for 2 hours at 250 ° F. If you are using small baking pans. If using 3 regular size loaf pans, bake for 3 ½ hours at 250 º F.
For more Christmas baking recipes, check out FROM YOUR HOUSE TO OURS.
Winnie