Pineapple Christmas Cake
The Iconic Kiwi Christmas cake, first made by Alison Holst around 30 years ago!
MAKES 1 X 23CM ROUND OR SQUARE CAKE
Cake Mix:
700g Alison’s Pantry Sultanas
500g Alison’s Pantry Raisins
250g Currants
50g mixed peel
432g can crushed pineapple in juice
3 cups high-grade flour
1 tsp each cinnamon and mixed spice
½ tsp ground cloves
225g butter
1 cup sugar
½ tsp each vanilla, almond and lemon essences
6 large eggs
50g Alison’s Pantry Roast Unsalted Almonds, to decorate (optional).
The day before mixing the cake, put the dried fruit and undrained pineapple in a large fry pan. Cover pan, heat until liquid boils then simmer until all juice is absorbed. Leave overnight, or until cold.
Next day, combine flour and spices and set aside. In a very large bowl, cream butter, sugar and essences until light. Beat in eggs one at a time, adding 2 tablespoons of the spiced flour with each.
Stir in prepared (cold) fruit and remaining spiced flour. If the mixture seems too soft, add extra flour until mixture will just drop from a spoon. Put in a lined tin, levelling the surface. Decorate with blanched almonds.
Bake at 150°C for 1½ hours, then 130°C for 2 hours longer, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. (Brush hot cake with ¼ cup brandy or sherry if you like.)
Note: We usually bake this cake without using fan bake.
Once cooled, remove from tin and wrap in greaseproof paper and tea towels. Leave in a cool place, if kept in the correct environment, the cake will keep for weeks. Perfect recipe to get a head start on Christmas prep!
For a twist on an old classic try this Toffee Fruit & Nut Topping by Julie Le Clerc
Download the PDF version: Alison Holst Pineapple Christmas Cake