Has everyone already made their Christmas cake?

As a teacher the only time I ever had to make the Christmas cake was in the October half term, and now I’m retired that is still what I do today. I find myself making more cakes than ever as although we are lucky to have a family Christmas, both adult son and daughter & families want to have cake for after Christmas in their own homes and DH loves Christmas cake, so I make us a large one that, if we’re not too greedy’ lasts us until Easter!

On a personal note: I am not very fond of sweets. I prefer an international cheeseboard with a wide variety of international cracker breads.

Hubs has a sweet tooth !

If I were to select a pastry, I would go with Stollen or Apple Strudel.

When our two daughters visit, we order a strawberry shortcake and a black out layer cake ..

The grandkids dig in !

I do like a lovely strawberry shortcake.

I am allergic to milk chocolate so I avoid ..

However, I am a true fan of 1880 Turron Nugget !!

Would you share the recipe by any chance? Sounds beautiful

I have literally just taken mine from the oven. I usually do it a bit earlier, in half term. I’ve made one every year since 1966 when we made them at school, following the recipe given to us. Later I used Delia’s and was very pleased with it, though even that has been altered through the years to cater for differing tastes. At school we also had to make the marzipan and the icing from scratch, but now I’m afraid both are bought ready made!

Nope , no longer make one. Apart from DH and I nobody likes it these days. I make a chocolate roulade and a torte which disappear too damn quickly !
Making Christmas Chutney this afternoon which is a firm family favourite so worth the effort .

I’ve seen a 3-ingredient one on Instagram that I’m going to make a couple of days before. An Irish cream-like drink, dried mixed fruit and flour. I hope it lives up to expectations!

Just made my mincemeat cake, much lighter than Christmas cake and lovely with cheese!!

I've ordered a small iced fruit cake from Ringtons ,much easier. I hate all the fuss about Christmas traditions. It's only me and my husband this year and he doesn't like cake much. If you want to make one Ringtons sell a Christmas cake mix.

Never made one. Don't buy any. Far too many calories. Family hate what they made of... All the best with yours

I haven’t made mine yet but I have been buying ingredients, I make the Delia one from her Christmas book - I’ve also tried the Creole one and the last minute one, all delicious 😋
I used to marzipan and ice it but last year decided to just put pecans and glacé cherries on top (less sugar/calories…🙄) and we enjoyed it just as much.
Can’t wait for the lovely Christmassy aromas while it bakes 🎅🎄

Just tried to post with photo but it disappeared! Probably turn up on some inappropriate thread! I made mine a few weeks ago to get it out of the way. It’s the same recipe my mum used for my 21st cake and the top two tiers of my wedding cake. An M&S cookery book from the 1970s. Soaked the dried fruit in sloe gin liqueur overnight. Added more whisky to the mix and poured more over while it was still warm. Smelt lovely!

Not yet! I usually do it in October, but for various reasons haven’t yet. A job for next week!

Try again!

Shall make mine soon using a version of Delia’s recipe. For those of you who hate doing the icing, Tate and Lyle do a royal icing mix to which you just add water. Traditional in our family is to do snowy peaks so easy peasy!

Unusually for me of late, I made mine last month. Diary note tells me to 'feed' it on Monday. Love inhaling the brandy fumes!

Just like Overthemoongran. Retired teacher but have stuck to making pudding and cake at half term. Always Delia's, never fails.

I have made one with another one fruit soaking. I make apricot and use apricot brandy to soak. only making two for friends this year as we are away.

Don't like Christmas Cake, none of us do. Enjoy

Love the idea of apricot brandy to soak

There isn’t a lot of call for one in my family ( except for me ) so I buy one, feed it, buy a good block of white marzipan to roll and a packet of Royal Icing, which I bind with lemon juice only and frost it up. It’s usually delicious.

I love alone so don't bother baking for just myself any more. Shop-bought Christmas cakes seem to have candied peel in them as well as alcohol neither of which I'm keen on.
If I want to treat myself to an extravagant cake at Christmas then a simple Mr Kipling Manor House cake is quite adequate.

I don't make them any more but my sister does and she gives me a huge lump. But it amazes me how late people make their cakes and puddings. I always used to make mine in the school Summer holidays to give them time to mature, just like my mum did.

Used to make Xmas puddings but have never made Xmas cake. My mother used to make wonderful Xmas cakes. Nowadays I buy my Xmas cakes. Still have one from last year well within its sell-by date. I may perk it up a bit with a splash or two or three... of brandy

I love it but got fed up with eating the whole thing as the family aren't keen.My partner will probably give me a little one as he makes several and gives them to some of his clients, he's a cleaner and loves to treat his favourite clients.