Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple." - Woody Guthrie

Friday, 9 November 2012

And so it begins ...


Although I know many of you are streets ahead of me on this one, it is about time I started the annual Christmas cake bake.  Not much thought needs to go into this, most of the ingredients are already in the kitchen cupboards. The only element of Delia's precise instructions from which I stray is the amount of brandy for soaking.  Three tablespoons seems way too stingy and whilst I associate brandy with being ill as a child, hot brandy and sugar being the cure all in days gone by, and cannot stomach it to drink, the scent in my kitchen right now is quite delightful. 

So what do you think should I bake square or round?

Happy Baking xxx

Welcome to Pat26 at Pat's Simple Life and Jessica.

20 comments:

  1. I think round Christmas cakes always look great, lots of icing and Christmas wot nots on top! Have a good weekend! :)

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    1. Your reference to Christmas wot nots made me laugh.

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  2. Can't wait to start my cake tomorrow - love the smells whilst its soaking and again whilst its cooking - just checked I have plenty of brandy - enough for the cake and the cook ;)

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  3. Hats off to you! Well done - I've never quite mastered the art of baking my own Christmas cake.. but I do love my mum's :-) I think square would make it a little unusual and I like that idea.
    Have fun and have a great weekend,
    xx

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    1. Pardon the pun, it is a piece of cake. Give a go you might be pleasantly surprised, I was, but beware you don't upstage your Mum.

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  4. I like square - easier to cut but has corners so four slices always have to much icing and not enough cake so maybe round. Hmm this decision takes thought. Definately lots of Christmas wot nots though. More is more!

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  5. Ooh I love the smell of Christmas cake baking ... Christmas starts then! I always do a square one, I just always have, but am not making one this year because I end up eating it all and I've lost weight this year, I could put it all back on again in a week!

    Have a lovely weekend

    Claire xx

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    1. I know what you mean Christmas cake is the perfect form of weight-gain.

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  6. I think round. Square can feel a bit wedding! I have to say that I have never even made a christmas cake so really whatever you decide I'm sure will be great! Heather x

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    1. Never thought of it that way, double icing is very tempting though.

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  7. Ooh this photo is so Christmassy. Square is more modern but I suppose circular is more traditional/symbolic of the Christian message - both would taste yummy!

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    1. Yes but it now means someone other than me knows there is a chocolate Santa in the house.

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  8. I feel Christmassy looking at the photo!
    I would go for round, but what do I know, we aren't big Christmas cake fans here so it's not something I bake.
    Lisa x

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  9. Oh I love that photo!

    Visitng you from another blog
    but I can't remember which one now!

    I hope your cake turns out great.

    Have a good Sunday

    Fiona

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  10. Lovely - I can smell that cake right now! Do I see a 70s tablecloth? I have got one very similar I think and there was another in the charity shop recently - but I restrained myself...there is something about Christmas 'stuff' that is sooo irresistible!
    Thank you for dropping by
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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    1. Not too sure on the era of the tablecloth but it sure does add a little Christmas cheer. Thanks for stopping by.

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