When's the right time to make XMas cake/pudding?

[alluvial]

I'd never eat home made, never mind shop made, anything with dried fruit of any kind is evil.

Don't get me started on mince pies

Me too. Never like any of that stuff at all until I tried Marguerite Patten's recipe. Truly scrummy.

[norrahe]

Me too. Never like any of that stuff at all until I tried Marguerite Patten's recipe. Truly scrummy.

Nope, anything with dead flies in it, not for me.

[Halo Jones]

Make the cake this week, give it a day to rest then stab it with a skewer & feed 2-3 tbl spoons of your chosen drink every 7-10 days.

Do the last feed 5 days before decorating

My preferred tipple for this: Bloody Furlong

[cojak]

The only Christmas Pud I like:

Marguerite Patten's recipe for microwave Christmas pudding

Ingredients (serves 4-6)
50g Butter
50g plain flour
Half a teaspoon of mixed spice
75g white breadcrumbs
100g soft dark brown sugar
150g sultanas
75g Raisins
50g Dates
50g Cherries
125g currants
25g coarsely chopped peel
grated rind and juice of half lemon
2 eggs
2 tablespoon treacle
1 tablespoon golden syrup
50ml Orange Juice
50ml Apple Juice

Method:
Sieve all the dry ingredients together and mix well.
Stir in all remaining ingredients until completely mixed.
Lightly grease a half litre (1 pint) pudding basin and fill with the mixture.
Cover with cling film and make a slit in the top to allow steam to escape.
Cook on microwave high for 10 minutes.
Allow to stand for 10 minutes after cooking.
Sprinkle with brandy and serve.

My instant Chirstmas pud!!

Marguerite Patten is a goddess and one of the most modern bakers going.

[d000hg]

Has anyone ever tried or considered using something like amaretto in an Xmas cake? Not sure if the combination with marzipan would be overpowering or complementary (we both love marzipan).

[Pogle]

I have a special Christmas pudding tin that allows you to make a round pudding with just one flat side to stand it on - Beano stylee
And I usually make my Christmas cakes about the first week of Dec, but as I am on t'bench maybe I should do them this week.....