Fruit Cake

Merry Christmas to all !
 Won't your Christmas be incomplete without a classic Christmas cake on the table? If there is no time left for a traditional Christmas cake that involves the months long procedure of soaking the fruits and nuts in rum, preparation of the caramel syrup etc, you can give a try to this simple fruit cake that can be made easily without rum or juice, not even eggs. What more this doesn't even require a beater to whip up the ingredients. If not for Christmas this cake is perfect for tea time too.

Ingredients
300gms mixed dry fruits( black raisins, chopped dates, walnuts, glaced cherries, cashewnuts)
125 gms soft  brown sugar
125 gms unsalted butter
200 ml brewed tea(preferably Earl Grey flavour)
2 tsp ground allspice powder(powder 1 stick cinnamon, 2-3 cloves, 2 cardamoms, a small piece of nutmeg with a pinch of sugar)
finely grated zest of 1 orange
225 gms self raising flour, sifted
1 Tbsp warm honey

Method

• In a saucepan place the mixed fruits and nuts, sugar, butter, tea and allspice powder. Heat until the butter melts, stirring occasionally.
• Bring it to a boil. Allow it to boil for 1 minute. Then remove from heat and add the orange zest. Mix and set aside. Leave this overnight.
• Preheat oven to 180 degree Celsius. Grease and line a 6 or 7 inch baking pan.
• Fold the sifted flour into the fruit mixture. Mix gently then pour it to the prepared baking pan and bake in the oven for 50- 55 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Remove the cake from the oven and brush the top of the cake with warm honey.You can also place some ccaramelized nuts on top.
• Leave it to cool completely and then turn out and serve in slices and enjoy.