Monday 23 December 2013

Gluten Free and Grain Free Christmas Cake GF SCD

Gluten Free & Grain Free Christmas Cake

I decided to improve my other gluten and grain free Christmas cake recipe this year and I thought you might like the recipe since it has turned out so well! It's easily one of the best Christmas Cakes I've tasted. Christmas Cake is a favourite in our house and Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it.

Gluten Free & Grain Free Christmas Cake GF SCD

400 g mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants) 
6 tblsps whisky
60g sliced almonds
50g organic chopped apricots
50g organic chopped dates 
grated rind one unwaxed lemon
grated rind one unwaxed orange
250g almond flour
60g butter
80ml honey
4 eggs
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp mixed spice
¼ tsp sea salt

  • The night before you make the cake tip the mixed dried fruit, chopped dates, chopped apricots, the orange and the lemon rinds into a bowl and pour over the whisky. Cover with a lid or cling film and give it a shake every time you walk past!  If you want to use a little more whisky and leave it for a couple of days, it works even better.
  • Set the oven to 145°C (fan oven - cook at 160°C if not fan assisted). Line a 15cm round tin with double thickness greaseproof paper or a 2lb loaf tin. 
  • Measure out the ground almonds (almond flour) and tip into the bowl with the salt, spices and bicarbonate of soda.
  • Add the flaked almonds to the soaked fruit.
  • In another bowl cream the butter and honey.
  • Whisk in the eggs.
  • Fold in the fruit and the flour blend into the mix alternating between the two until all the ingredients have been folded in.
  • Tip into the prepared tin then cook on the middle shelf for between 1½ hours and 2 hours. Cover with a sheet of parchment paper after an hour. The cake is ready when a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean and the top of the cake is firm and springs back when lightly touched.
  • To store, I wrap mine in a double piece of greaseproof paper and wrap with foil. I then put it into a freezer bag and store in the fridge.