Speedy Garden's blog

Hi you guys. I used to do this in school with my friends. Help me make a story. Let's see how it turns out. I am inviting everyone to participate. Let's have some fun. I shall starts. You can keep adding all the time with whatever the last person posts. Please try it with me. Thanks :D.

Beginning.....

The mountain air was crisp and cool. The birds were chirping and the sun was peeping through the trees. I was up very early since I was just so excited to explore this land! I got the breakfast from my bag and found the most beautiful spot where there was a small stream flowing amongst the flowers. The rocks here were shaped just fine for me to sit as though made into table and chairs.

Now what did Miss Molly (hehehe) make for me to eat....

For Tame Swallow and friends of broth.

Hi here is a recipe for our Christmas Fruit Cake. My mom makes the best fruit cake I have ever tasted!!! I love her recipe. Yum. Please note that you may add or not add certain ingredients to your taste. But you must ensure that the consistency is a little heavier than a normal cake mix. When the cake is done a wooden spoon must be able to stand loosely in the middle. (The cake mixture is thicker but not stiff). Hope it comes out well. (1 lb = 1 pound = 16 ounces)
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INGREDIENTS:

FRUITS:
1 lb prunes, seeded and chopped
1 lb raisins
1 lb sultanas
1/4 or 1/2 lb mixed peel

1/2 lb cherries *(optional - we don't use this - sweet)
1 lb currents *(optional - we don't use this - grainy)
1/4 lb chopped almonds *(optional - we don't use this - maybe it would taste nice yum I love almonds - I would put it in sliced though)

1 bottle cherry brandy (750 ml)
1/4 bottle rum (187.5 ml)

CAKE BATTER:
1 lb butter (2 cups)
1 lb sugar -granulated or brown (2 cups) *(we use brown)
10 large eggs *(we use 1 doz since the eggs are not so big)
2 tsp grated lime peel *(we peel lime skin, beat eggs, remove - you may use lemon if you don't have limes I suppose)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 lb flour (4 cups) *(depends if putting optional ingredients)
4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground cinamon *(optional- we don't use this-if you like)
1/4 cup browning *(we don't use this-we don't really like it-fruits are already dark)
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METHOD:

1. Place fruits in food processor and chop finely as possible or whatever instrument you use to grind. A few days before baking combine prunes, raisins sultanas, mixed peel, cherry brandy, rum (and optional fruits - cherries, currents, almonds).

Note: Fruit mixture could also be soaked 2 months before use.

2. Line 3 (8 inch) round cake pans with double layers of wax paper *(you may grease the bottom of the pan and dust with flour or whatever you use)

3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy

4. Beat in eggs one at a time, add grated lime peel and vanilla *(or beat eggs separately with peeled lime skin, remove lime skin before adding eggs to the butter and sugar)

5. Combine flour (try to estimate a good consistency with the flour - don't put in all the flour), baking powder and cinnamon (optional if you like that flavour). (We also add about 2 tsp Angostura bitters for flavour) Fold into creamed mixture gradually.

6. Add processed/ground fruit *(optional-add enough browning to give desired colour. We don't use it though, the fruits are dark enough for us). Stir well. *(You may add the rest of the flour if the mixture is too soft. Test by using a wooden spoon. It should be able to stand up a bit at the first instant)

7. Put in lined baking pans 3/4 full and bake in a preheated oven at 250 degrees F for the 1st hour, reduce heat to 200 - 225 degrees F for remaining time (maybe 1/2 hr, 1 hour, 1 1/2 - it depends *(Please check the cake with your tester, poke right in the middle until it comes out clean. It may not come out too clean because of the sticky fruits) Don't let the cake burn. :D

*8.**(Optional - we don't really do this- this only depends on how strong you want the cake to be).
Prick the hot cake and soak with a 1 cup mixture of rum, cherry brandy and sherry.
Cover and set aside.
As alcohol soaks in pour more and continue to do so for 12 hours.

Have fun and enjoy!!! :D Don't get too drunk hehehe!!!