Ingredients

4 oz margarine

4 oz sugar (brown or white)

12 oz mixed fruit (8 oz will be enough)

8 fl oz water

1 level teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1 level teaspoon mixed spice

2 beaten eggs

4 oz plain flour

4 oz self raising flour

Pinch salt

How to Make it

1. Set the oven to 350F, 180 C, 170C (fan oven), Gas Mark 4
2. Put margarine, sugar, mixed fruit, water, bicarbonate of soda and mixed spice into a large pan. Bring to the boil, stirring as the ingredients melt to blend gently together.
3. Once boiling, simmer for one minute.
4. Allow to cool while you prepare the tin:
5. Line a 7″ square or 8″ round tin.
6. When mixture has cooled a little, add the eggs, flour and salt and mix well. If you add the eggs while the mixture is really hot you’ll have scrambled eggs! Pour the mixture into the tin.
7. Bake in the centre of the oven for 1 – 1 1/4 hours. Test with a skewer to see if it comes out clean.

Tags: bicarbonate of soda, egg, margarine, mixed fruit, mixed spice, plain flour, salt, self raising flour, sugar
Posted in Cakes | No Comments »

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 teaspoons baking powder

pinch salt

1 small carton blueberries (about 150g)

2 cups plain flour

1/2 cup milk

For Topping

 Mix together

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg        

How to make  

1. Heat oven to 375F/185C
2. Set 12 – 18 muffin cases in muffin tins
3. In food mixer, beat margarine until creamy.
4. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one.
6. Beat in vanilla, baking powde and salt.
7. Using a spoon, fold in half of the flour, then half of the milk.
8. Repeat, using the rest of the flour and milk.
9. Fold in blueberries.
10. Divide mixture between muffin cases, and sprinkle topping on each muffin.
11. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes until golden brown and springy to touch.

Tags: baking powder, blueberries, eggs, granulated sugar, margarine, milk, nutmeg, plain flour, vanilla
Posted in Individual Cakes and Buns | No Comments »

Ingredients

2 cups dried fruit

1 cup soft brown sugar

1 cup water

3 oz margarine

2 cups SR flour

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

How to Make it

Preheat a moderate oven to Gas 5/6 / 350F / 180C.

1. Boil together the fruit, sugar, water and margarine till blended and then allow to cool.
2. Mix in the flour and bicarbonate of soda.

Mixture will appear very wet but this is in order.

Bake in round cake tin for about 1 1/4hrs.

Tags: dried mixed fruit, fruit cake, margarine, soft brown sugar, SR flour
Posted in Cakes | No Comments »

Ingredients

8 oz SR flour

Pinch salt

4 oz margarine

2 oz caster sugar

4 oz sultanas

1 egg

milk

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

How to Make Them

Preheat oven to 400F / 200 / 190 fan oven

Line a baking sheet.

1. Sift flour and salt into bowl.
2. Rub in margarine till like breadcrumbs.
3. Stir in flour and sultanas.
4. Beat egg and stir in with a little milk to make a stiff mixture.
5. Using a dessertspoon and a teaspoon, divide mixture into 12 heaps on the baking tray and bake for 10 – 15 mins till golden brown.
6. Cool on tray.

Tags: caster sugar, egg, margarine, Rock buns, SR flour, sultanas
Posted in Individual Cakes and Buns | 1 Comment »

Ingredients

4 oz SR flour

4 oz caster sugar

4 oz soft margarine

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

How to Make it

Preheat oven to 350F / 180C

Line 2 7″ sandwich tins.

1. Put all the ingredients in food mixer and mix for 2 mins.
2. Divide mixture between 2 tins and smmoth.
3. Bake for approximately 15 mins until golden brown and shrinking away from side of tin.
4. Turn out immediately onto cooling tray.
5. Whisk double cream until stiff.
6. Spread jam on cake, top with cream and sandwich together

For a special occasion, use fresh strawberries instead of jam, sliced up.

Tags: caster sugar, eggs, margarine, SR flour, Victoria sponge
Posted in Cakes | No Comments »