This recipe is my adaptation of the 'Festive Fruit and Nut Cake' from the Australian Women's Weekly 'The Christmas Book'. I've heard of this cake style being called 'pandora's box', 'Government House' and 'Stained Glass Window' cake. It's essentially large chunks of glace fruit and whole nuts bound together by a very small amount of cake mix and with more un-caked fruit on top. I make it in a 20cm ring tin, or small round tins (muffin tin size) to give as gifts, wrapped in clear cellophane, as a little of this cake goes a long way. If there's a particular fruit or nut you don't like - simply substitute for one you do. The original recipe had more brazil nuts and no ginger - I substituted macadamia nuts and took away some of the other fruits. Why is it called 'Grumpy's Christmas cake'? Simply, my children call my dad 'Grumpy' and I always make this cake for him for Christmas. Lost for inspiration for a birthday present this year I made it for his birthday too! It will keep for 3 months (refrigerated in an air tight container). Frankly, it's never lasted that long in our place! See photo on MSN (amanda n's photos).
Recipe posted by amanda n
Tried this recipe?
Why not leave a comment or a suggestion?
Please note, questions and queries for the nigella.com
Add Commentteam cannot be answered here - please instead submit
any questions as "Kitchen Queries".
Be the first to leave a comment