Trinidadian Fruit Cake

There are variations to this recipe, some omit browning, some add nuts, some add cherries or cranberries. My grandmother used to soak all the fruits in the rum and brandy for two months before she put it in the cake, and soak the cake with rum and brandy when it came out the oven. This is a Christmas staple in a Trinidadian house. Here is my mother's recipe for fruit cake.

Ingredients you will need

• 1 lb Raisins
  
• ¾ lb prunes
• ¼ lb Citron
• 1 tsp ground spice
• 1 pint rum
• 1 lb currants
• ¾ lb cherries
• ¼ lb mixed peel
• ¼ lb almond butter
• 1 lb margarine
• 1lb granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 dozen eggs
  
• 1 pint Cherry Brandy
• ½ tsp nutmeg essence
• ½ tsp almond essence
• 1 lb 2 oz flour
• Food colouring
• Browning

1. Cream fat and sugar until light and fluffy
2. Beat eggs and add creamed fat, mix well
3. Add fruit and food colouring, mix well
4. Fold in flour and baking powder
5. Add essence
6. Pour in prepared tins.
7. Bake at 300 degrees for first hour and 275 for the second. Test.