Gluten-free Christmas cake

This incredibly simple to make, low cost gluten-free Christmas cake will really get you in the festive spirit, great to share with friends and family.

Serves: 24
Time to make: 1 hr 45 mins
( Hands-on time: 15 mins )

Total cost: $ 20.40 / $ 0.85 per serve

(at time of publication)

Ingredients

3 cups dried mixed fruit
⅓ cup glacé cherries, halved
150ml brandy (or whisky or rum)
grated zest of 1 orange
grated zest of 1 lemon
150g reduced-fat spread
1 cup brown sugarlight brown cane sugarX
1 teaspoon gluten-free cinnamon
1 teaspoon gluten-free ground coriandercilantroX
1 teaspoon gluten-free ground ginger
oil spray
5 eggs
2 cups gluten-free self-raising flour, sifted
½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder, sifted
30g sliced toasted almonds
50g whole blanched almonds, to decorate
4 tablespoons apricot jamjellyX, to glaze

Instructions

Preheat oven to 140°C. In a large saucepan, combine dried fruit, cherries, brandy, zests, spread, sugar and spices and set over a low heat. Warm through for a few minutes until sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Spray a 23cm round or 20cm square cake tin with oil, and double line with baking paper. Add eggs to fruit mixture, then fold in flour, baking powder and sliced almonds.
Spoon mixture into prepared tin, then decorate with the blanched almonds. Bake for 1–1 1/2 hours, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool cake in tin before turning out.
Using a microwave, or in a pot on the stovetop, warm jam. Brush over cake for a glossy finish.