Father's Day Fruit Cake

What is a Dad?

Someone you ask when Mum says no.?

Someone that carries a photo of you in his wallet, (where his money used to be)?

Someone who gets drunk at your wedding and dances like John Travolta? (or thinks he can)

Someone who gives that embarrassing speech after the wedding breakfast?

Well, probably all of these, except the speech my own Father delivered or should I say not delivered at my wedding, he stood up and said “Cheers everyone” and promptly sat down!!

Good job I’ve got a sense of humour, and the fact I know what’s really important in a Dad.

So, what am I going to do for Father’s Day? Well, he probably won’t be expecting anything, maybe a nice card. But I managed to find him something he lost years ago, a Green Beret, which I managed to acquire from The Commandos Veteran Association, my Mum happened to throw the original one out by mistake!

I also found my Nan’s “Boiled Fruit Cake” recipe in an old recipe folder, so I’ll be making that too. I used to help my Nan make this when I was little, and I know it’s his favourite, trouble is, it’s mine too.

Hope he’s in a sharing mood!

Here’s the recipe:

Serves 6-8
Prep Time 10 mins
Cooking Time 1-2 hours plus 30 minutes standing time
Ingredients

• 1lb 4oz/570g Sultanas
• 4oz/115g Dark brown sugar
• 8oz/225g Unsalted butter
• 2 tsp Mixed spice
• ½pt /10 fl oz Semi skimmed milk
• 3 ½oz/100g Glace cherries
• 2 Free range eggs, beaten
• 12oz/340g Self raising flour
• 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda

Method

• Place the sultanas, sugar, butter, mixed spice, bicarbonate of soda and milk into a large saucepan
• Bring to the boil and stir, take off heat and set aside to cool
• When mixture has cooled mix in the cherries
• Add the beaten eggs, and fold in the flour
• Pour the mixture into a greased and floured cake tin (See Cook’s tips 1.)
• Bake in a preheated oven 170°C/325°/Gas mark 3 for 1-2 hours, check cake after 1 ½ hours by putting a skewer through the middle, if skewer comes out clean, it’s done
• Allow to cool, turn out onto a serving plate and serve

Cook's tips

• Tie greaseproof paper just above the rim, outside of the cake tin to prevent burning

Equipment

• 9inch/23cm Cake tin
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium saucepan
• Electric whisk

Shopping List

• 1lb 4oz/570g Sultanas
• 4oz/115g Dark brown sugar
• 8oz/225g Unsalted butter
• 2 tsp Mixed spice
• ½pt /10 fl oz Semi skimmed milk
• 3 ½oz/100g Glace cherries
• 2 Free range eggs
• 12oz/340g Self raising flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Whatever you’re doing for Father’s Day, just enjoy your Dad!

Becoming a father isn't hard, but, sometimes it's very hard to be a father.

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