How To Make A Christmas Cake - The Victorian Way

Christmas is approaching so Mrs Crocombe is making a cake for Lord and Lady Braybrooke at Audley End House. This traditional plum cake is based on a recipe by Charles Francatelli, who was Queen Victoria’s chief cook from 1840 to 1841. INGREDIENTS 680g plain flour 680g butter 450g caster sugar 450g dried chopped cherries 680g currants 680g candied peel 225g ground almonds 8 eggs Zest of four oranges 15g ground spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg) ½ pint of brandy For the almond paste: 225g ground almon