Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541798
Ingredients Day 1: Boozy Soaking Shenanigans! • 800g of mixed dried fruit (Used Sultanas and Raisins. You could also add currants or prunes. Whatever you like.) • 200g glazed cherries • 50g mixed peel • 100g of slivered or chopped almonds • 100g Roasted Hazelnuts • Zest & Juice of 1 lemon • Zest & Juice of 1 orange • 1 tsp of cinnamon • 1 tsp of nutmeg • 1 tsp of ginger • 1 tsp of mixed spice • 150ml of Brandy • 150ml of Guinness Day 2: Baking Magic! • 4 large eggs • 200g of butter • 200g of dark brown sugar • 100g of almond flour or ground almonds (If you can't get Almond flour then ground almonds works fine.) • 240g of plain flour Day 1 Method 1. Toss all the fruity friends, nuts, citrus buddies, and spices into a big bowl. 2. Pour the Brandy and Guinness over them. 3. Cover up and let the gang soak for at least 24 hours. Day 2 Method 4. Preheat the oven to 150°C (Conventional Oven). 5. 2. Line a 20cm/8- inch round, 10cm high tin—line the tin with parchment paper quite high up and also wrap the outside. (This prevents the sides from baking too soon and getting too dark, resulting in a more even bake.) 6. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 7. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the mixture is creamy. 8. Stir in the almond flour and the plain flour. 9. Gently fold in ALL the soaked fruit mix (and all the soaking liquid!). 10. Spoon the mixture into your prepared tin. 11. Bake for approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. 12. The Doneness Check: Insert a thermometer into the center of the cake; it should be around 96–98°C. 13. Cool and Store: After baking, wrap the cake in two sheets of greaseproof paper (followed by foil), then place it in an airtight container. 14. It should keep for about 2–3 months in a cool, dry place. You can also refrigerate it for up to 6 months or freeze it. 15. The Feast (Feeding): about 1–2 tablespoons of Brandy a week up until Christmas should be sufficient. 12 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 5 DECEMBER 2025 FOOD Kyle's festive fruitcake NAKED – A COOK'S ATELIER