THE CHRISTMAS CAKE "TEST"

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

MAXDOG here...

Yes Okay, my personal take is that Christmas time is really a time to chill!!!

I have taken up the task with my own special vigour!

Yes, dear fur-friends, are you practicing your 'chilling'?!?

(and I don't mean the cold kind!)

While I am practicing, Mom is getting on with her special Christmas preparations. I know this season...she's gonna be trapped in her kitchen - baking delicious delectables and spiking my olfactory sensors!

I know she has a special story around our family's Christmas cake routine, so I've included it today. This is meant as an inspiration to all our humans...
Hope you like it!

THE "CHRISTMAS CAKE TEST"....by Caryl Moll

Christmas on my childhood's farm meant "family" and "togetherness". The baking of our traditional Christmas cake was part of the season's task but it took many days to achieve. We lived a simple life and since money was tight, we were frugal with catering for our needs. My dad had also contributed by constructing a specially designed baking-box for our Christmas cake.

The varying ingredients for our cake were specially ordered from our local supplier. Spices too were specially gathered and selected for the event. We carefully lined Dad's baking 'box' with layers of brown paper and tin foil. When it came to the mixing and baking of the cake, the entire family congregated in the old farm kitchen to participate.

Some of us were responsible for the wood fire and others for the cake tin's lining. Some were charged with the mixing and some to ensure the correct ingredients and quantities were added. It was an enriching family affair, permeated with comforting aromas of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Later in my life I got married and carried the tradition into our new household. At first it was only the two of us. This meant really hard work since the recipe had plently of ingredients and without a large electric mixer, became quite a physical challenge. Nevertheless, the "togetherness" of the event was affirmed as a viable tradition.

It was a time of relationship building and when our children came along, it morphed into a time of communal fun, sharing and relaxing. Aromas in the kitchen - again of cloves, ginger, cinnamon and the like - became associated with happiness and goodwill.

As the years went by and friends were drawn into our household, the "Christmas Cake" occasion remained a highlight. Indeed when our daughters now bring any potential suitors into our household, they are encouraged to "Undergo the Christmas Cake Test!".

This "test" means that they will be responsible for the actual mixing of the cake (no electric mixers allowed!) while everyone else throws in the various ingredients. As onlookers we are entertained by watching their purposeful angst, their biceps bulging and the 'glow' on their faces. Their endeavours are usually punctuated with laughter and our light-hearted teasing. It isn't really a "Test", but rather an acknowledgement of the importance of them in our lives. And again... the aromas of the cake are always associated with goodwill.

I place high value on the "home" in our lives and my own life's mission has been to follow and encourage this cause. The Christmas Cake has become symbolic of this value to me and it echo's the importance of preserving the sanctity of our homes.

Today, I would very much like to share the recipe for our own 'traditional' Christmas cake with you. I will be buying the ingredients today and we will be baking this weekend - infusing our home with our own special tradition.

May I encourage you too to try this Christmas Cake occasion in your own home? Maybe it could also become a symbol of your togetherness and value of your loved ones.


Here is the recipe:

MOM'S CHRISTMAS CAKE

4 CUPS FLOUR
2 CUPS SUGAR
1 LB BUTTER
10 EGGS (SEPERATED)
1 TSP BICARBONATE OF SODA
1/2 TEASPOON EACH OF CINNAMON, NUTMEG, GINGER AND SALT
1/4 TEASPOON CLOVES
1 LB CURRANTS
1/2 LB DRIED PEEL
1 LB SULTANAS
1 LB RAISINS
1/2 LB CHERRIES
1/2 LB FLAKED ALMONDS
1/2 CUP BRANDY
1 TSP COCOA

Cream the butter and sugar well. Add the yolks one at a time, beating well all the time. Add flour gradually. Mix bicarb with a little milk and add this to all the spices, fruit, brandy and well beaten egg whites.

Line cake tin with foil and greased paper.
Bake about 3 hours (160-180C)
Enjoy the time together!!!

---xXx---

Hey thanks Mom...sounds delicious...but I want to play ball now!!!

To all my furry friends and their humans:

Have a happy, family filled weekend!!!
Lotsalicks

MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA