International Recipe : Tropical Fruit Cake

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 350g flour
  
• 100g dried papaya, chopped
  
• 100g dried pineapple, chopped
  
• 80g apricots, chopped
  
• 100g sunflower seeds
  
• 100g almonds, chopped
  
• 500g butter, softened
  
• 100g sugar
  
• 100g eggs, beaten
  
• 150g maple syrup
  
• 75g brandy (optional)

Directions:

1. Sift the flour and mix it with the fruit and nuts.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is white and creamy, then add sugar. Continue beating until the mixture is fluffy.
3. Add the mixture of flour, fruit and nuts slowly, folding it into the butter-and-sugar mixture.
4. When well mixed, add the eggs, maple syrup and brandy, if using.
5. Turn batter out into a lined and greased log tin.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for between 30 and 45 minutes.
7. Cool cake in the tin for about 5 minutes before turning out to cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Decorate with Royal icing and other festive ornaments, if desired.