Christmas Cake

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• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C)
• Fill up a pan with water and put at the bottom rack of the oven. This is known as water bath. It prevents the cake from drying and burning because it bakes longer.
• Grease and line the 10 inch pan with butter and parchment paper.
• Sift the flour. To the flour, add cinnamon, salt, baking powder, allspice, ground nutmeg and whisk together.
• In another bowl, crack in the eggs, add the zest of one lime and lime juice.
• Blend the soaked mixed fruits to your desired texture or consistency. Mixed fruits can be soaked for a week and up to a year. The mixed  fruits can also be stewed in case of an urgent need.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the butter for a few minutes with an electric mixer, add in the sugar  gradually and beat until light and fluffy. Always scrape the side of the bowl frequently to ensure that everything is properly mixed.
• Add the eggs one at a time and continue to beat until well mixed.
• Add in the mixed fruits, vanilla extract, rose water, 4 tbsp browning and mix.
• With a spatula, fold in the dry ingredients gradually. Add the flour a third at a time.
• Add more tablespoons of browning if not satisfied with the color.
• Add sweet red wine or rum to lighten and flavor the batter.
• Pour the mixed batter into a greased 10 inch pan, smooth the top and tap lightly to remove any air bubbles 
• Place directly above the water bath and bake for 2  1/2 - 3 hrs or until the toothpick or skewer comes out clean.
• Cool on a rack until completely cooled. Pour or spray some rum or wine over the the cake while the cake is still hot. The cake will soak up the alcohol and this help to moisten and flavor the cake.

Ingredients  

4 cups of soaked fruit mix  

3 cups All Purpose flour  

2 cups unsalted butter (same as 1 pound or 4 sticks)  at room temperature

2 cups brown sugar  

8 eggs  at room temperature

2 tsp lime juice 

 1 tsp lime zest  

1 tsp cinnamon 

 1 tsp Vanilla extract  

1 tsp Rose water  

1 tsp allspice 

 1 tsp nutmeg  

1 tsp salt  

2 tsp baking powder 

 4 - 6 tbsp browning (burnt sugar)  

1/4 cup sweet red wine    

 Pan size: 10 inches 

Bake at 300 degrees F for 2  1/2 - 3 hours