Christmas has quickly rolled around this year and the cake mixing ceremony marks the onset of the Christmas season. Cake mixing ceremony began in Europe in 17th century. Today it is a ritual celebrated all over the world. Cake mixing has become a celebratory event in India in recent times. Christmas celebration is incomplete without the traditional cake and making it is not a quick and easy task. Preparations begin months in advance with chopped dry fruits and nuts mixed and soaked for a minimum of 40 days in rum, brandy, whisky or wine or in different combination in a dark room so that the ingredients can develop aroma and taste. The older the mixture the tastier the cake. Preparation for this event is truly an event where people bond with each other.
Ingredients
1. Cashew nuts
2. Walnuts
3. Almonds
4. Apricot
5. Cranberries
6. Candied peels and fruits (orange, ginger etc)
7. Raisins (black and white varieties)
8. Dry plums
9. Cherries
10. Black currents
11. Dates
12. Figs
13. Prunes
14. Cherry
15. Brandy, whisky, rum or wine (red or white wine) as per choice
16. Tutti fruity
17. Honey – ¼ cup
Preparation
1. Choose the quantity and ingredients as per your choice.
2. Finely chop the fruits and nuts and mix together in a bowl with honey.
3. Transfer the chopped fruits and nuts into dry glass jars.
4. Add the alcohol or a mix of alcohol to 1/3rd level of the fruits and nuts glass jar.
5. Close the glass jars air tight and keep the jars in a cool and dark place for at least 40 days before preparing the cakes. Shake the jars on alternate days so that the alcohol/wine evenly spread over the fruits and nuts. The jars can be turned upside down for this, if need be.
Tips
1. Ensure that the glass jars are absolutely dry without any trace of water.
2. Do not fill the jars to the brim. Ideally fill the jars up to 3/4th only.
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