It’s been a while since I wrote here. There’s been lots going on in my work and home life and blogging had to take a back seat for a while. I do have lots of things I’ve wanted to write about and I’m starting with cake.
Each year I remember, then forget, then expect to do it better than last time, then do as well as I can and await the response with anticipation. This year’s no different and yet… Last year, one of my cakes was just perfection apparently. This has tainted all others that comes in it’s wake. I try to use the same techniques with them all so I never really understand what makes one stand out above the rest.
Was I watching the oven a bit closer? Did I not get distracted during baking? When I split the fruit cocktail mixture did one have more juice in it? Did I add more cinnamon, nutmeg, mixed spice? I bake quick and rough and keep telling myself I do it for enjoyment not to become a master Christmas cake baker (the only time I’ll use the word in this post, I promise).
I like to have my family fruit cakes all done and wrapped by the end of September at the latest. This year 3 large ones and 2 small ones slipped into the first week of October. I have been known to bake in July or August. Dried fruit is soaked in rum for many weeks, which provides for an interesting aroma throughout my house in late summer. Last weekend, as I baked from morning to midnight (each large cake takes 4.5 hours in the oven.. you do the maths) I ate on the smell infusing everything throughout the house. It was wonderful, and I treasure days like that.
The cakes are now all done and await their fate and feedback. I can do no more. I think they’re a little dry this year. My family will be the judges of moisture levels and will let me know whatever their decision. Each time, I try to write the recipe as I make it yet each year something happens to change what I do to greater or lesser degrees. I have a great day the day I bake forever and I’m glad that others enjoy eating the results a few months later.
Do you have any family favourites that you are the baker of?
lynnelives 