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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! :)  Fruit Cake for Christmas

This cake can be eaten at Christmas and Weddings. It is also known as Black Cake, because traditionally, the recipe usually uses burnt sugar.

Ingredients

1lb / 2cups currants
1lb / 3cups raisins
8oz / 1cup prunes
2/3 cup mixed peel
14 oz / 2 ¼ cups dark soft brown sugar
5ml / 1tsp mixed spice
½ pint / 1 ¼ cups sherry
90ml / 6tbsp rum, plus more if needed
2 cups softened butter
10 eggs beaten
1 lb / 4 cups self-raising flour
5 ml /1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Wash the currants, raisins, prunes and mixed peel, then pat dry. Place in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Transfer to a large, clean jar or bowl, add 115g/4 oz of the sugar, the mixed spice, rum and sherry. Mix very well and then cover with a lid and set aside for anything from 2 weeks to 3 months - the longer it is left the better the flavor will be.
2. Stir the fruit mixture occasionally and keep covered, adding more alcohol if you like.
3. Preheat the oven to 160ºC/325ºF/Gas mark 3. Grease and line a 25cm/10in round cake tin with a double layer of greaseproof paper.
4. Sift the flour, set aside. Cream together the butter and remaining sugar and beat in the eggs until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
5. Add the fruit mixture, then gradually stir in the flour and vanilla essence. Mix well, adding 15-30ml/1-2 tbsp sherry if the mixture is too stiff; it should just fall off the back of the spoon, but should not be too runny.
6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, cover loosely with foil and bake for about 2½ hours until the cake is firm and springy. Leave to cool in the tin overnight, then sprinkle with more rum if the cake is not to be used immediately. Wrap the cake in foil to keep it moist..

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For a Drink: SORREL

3 cups sorrel (red, with seeds removed)
1 part boiling water
2 cups sugar

Add sorrel to the rapidly boiling water. Bring to boil and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the water is a nice dark red colour. Strain. Add sugar and stir until it is dissolved. Use this as a base or mixer with other drinks, or may be used alone. If a more spicy flavour is desired, add ginger and 3 or 4 cloves. Since sorel is in the markets around Christmas time, this makes a very nice drink for Christmas.