Christmas Fruit Log Dried Fruit Food

CHRISTMAS FRUIT LOG - DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients except the chocolate in a large bowl. Stir thoroughly.
• Form into two logs (not too thick or too long), using greased hands. Place on a foil covered tray.
• Refridgerate until needed.
• Melt the chocolate while the logs are chilling.
• Once melted, carefully and slowly pour over the logs and let set in the fridge.
• To serve - slice with a serrated egded knife.
• Note - this recipe can also be pressed into a 12x20 cm tin and used as a slice. Top with chocolate as per original instructions.

EXTRA-FRUITY CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Put all the dried fruit, the mixed peel and citrus zests in a large bowl, the pour over the brandy. Stir, cover and leave to soak overnight.
• The next day, heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line the base and side of a deep 23cm cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, so it comes a few centimetres above the rim.
• Beat the butter, sugar and treacle together in a large bowl using an electric whisk, until pale and creamy. Alternatively, use a stand mixer. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl every so often. Sift the flour, baking powder and spices into a separate bowl, then stir this into the wet ingredients along with the ground almonds until combined.
• Stir in the rehydrated fruit along with the soaking liquid, then spoon the batter into the prepared tin and level the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake for 2 hrs 25 mins-2 hrs 30 mins, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.If the cake starts to darken too quickly, cover with foil.
• Leave to cool completely in the tin, then prick small holes all over the surface using a cocktail stick or skewer and brush over a little brandy. Wrap the cake in baking parchment, then a sheet of foil. Store in an airtight container and feed the cake with 1-2 tbsp brandy each week for three or four weeks, stopping the week before you want to ice it. Will keep in a cool, dry place for six months.

CHRISTMAS LOG

Steps:

• Crumble the Swiss roll into the bowl and add the biscuit crumbs, jam, orange juice and dried fruit and mix together with your hands.
• Place the mixture on a board and shape into a roll about the size of the original Swiss roll, wrap in cling film and put in the fridge.
• Using a potato peeler, scrape about 15g chocolate into shreds on to a plate.
• Break the remaining chocolate pieces and put in a small bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until melted, or melt in the microwave.
• Beat the butter, then beat in the coated but still melted chocolate
• Unwrap the log, and using a knife, spread with the icing, use a fork to make it look like tree bark and dust with icing sugar to resemble snow.
• Put on a plate and sprinkle with chocolate shreds.
• If liked, make fondant icing mushrooms and dip the heads into cocoa powder, then colour some fondant icing green and cut out leaves.