A Christmas cake recipe for stir up Sunday

Charlotte Peters

What's stir up Sunday? It's the last Sunday before Advent and traditionally the day when Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings are made. The stir-up part is so-called because everyone in the family should take a turn at stirring up the mixtures. In 2016 it falls on 20th November.

Here's countrywoman and accomplished chef Rachel Green's recipe for the perfect Christmas cake - an excellent way to spend stir up Sunday in the traditional way.

White Glace Christmas Cake by Rachel Green

Ingredients

10oz/275g plain flour

8oz/225g butter

8oz/225g caster sugar

4 eggs

4oz/110g Glace cherries

4oz/110g Glace Pineapple

4oz/110g Glace Apricots

4oz/110g Glace Peaches

4oz/110g Glace Pears

2oz/55g Angelica

4oz/110g Ground or chopped almonds

2oz/55g Mixed peel

 

Icing:

6 tbs icing sugar

A little water to mix in

 

Method:

  • Preheat oven 150ºC/300°F/ Gas 2
  • Line an 8-9 inch tin with a double thickness of greaseproof.
  • Chop glace fruits.
  • Cream butter and sugar together, lightly beat the eggs and add to the mixture, beating thoroughly. If the eggs show signs of curdling add a little flour.
  • Fold in the flour and all dry ingredients.
  • Place mixture in the prepared tin and bake for approximately 3 hours. The cake is ready when a skewer comes out clean once inserted.
  • To serve: Decorate with some runny white icing and frosted bay leaves.
Rachel Green true countrywoman

Rachel Green is a true countrywoman – and an expert chef

About Rachel Green

Chef, author, TV presenter, demonstrator and food campaigner Rachel Green has made a name for herself as a passionate ambassador of British produce and comes from 14 generations of Lincolnshire farmers. She is a true countrywoman and a wonderful cook.