The Weekly's All-time Favourite Christmas Cake

PREP AND COOK TIME 5-6 HOURS (+ COOLING TIME)

Ingredients

2 ⅓ cups (375g) sultanas
2 ⅓ cups (375g) chopped raisins
¾ cup (125g) dried currants
½ cup (100g) red glacé cherries, quartered
1 cup (250g) firmly packed mixed glacé fruit (such as oranges, pineapple, peaches, apricots)
⅓ cup (120g) ginger marmalade
½ cup (125ml) brandy
½ cup (125ml) orange juice
250g butter, softened
2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind
I cup (220g) brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup (150g) plain flour
½ cup (75g) self-raising flour
¾ cup (90g) almond meal (ground almonds)
2 teaspoons mixed spice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ cup (80ml) brandy, extra for brushing

Combine the fruit, marmalade, brandy and juice in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after each I minute. Remove plastic wrap and cool completely.
Preheat oven to 140C (120C fan-forced). Line the base and side of a deep 22 cm round cake pan with two layers of brown paper and two layers of baking paper, extending papers 5 cm above sides of the pan,
Beat the butter, rind and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until combined, Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in the sifted flours, almond meal and spices. Stir into the fruit mixture. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan: smooth top.
Bake the cake for about 3 ½ hours, or until a thin-bladed knife inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cover with foil if over-browning occurs during cooking. Brush hot cake with extra brandy. Cover the top with a piece of baking paper; snip and fold down lining paper; cover cake tightly with foil. Wrap in a towel, cool in the pan overnight. Remove from pan.
ICING: Whisk egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer until just frothy. On low speed, add the icing sugar, 1 tbsp at a time. Add the lemon juice and glycerine, and beat for about 5 mins, or until very stiff and thick. Cover the surface of the icing with plastic wrap and store in a cool place until ready to ice.
Spread the cake with icing and decorate with your choice of Christmas decorations.