How To Make A Christmas Cake The Victorian Way

Christmas is approaching so Mrs Crocombe is making a cake for Lord and Lady Braybrooke at Audley End House. This traditional plum cake is based on a recipe by Charles Francatelli, who was Queen Victoria s chief cook from 1840 to 1841. INGREDIENTS 680g plain flour 680g butter 450g caster sugar 450g dried chopped cherries 680g currants 680g candied peel 225g ground almonds 8 eggs Zest of four oranges 15g ground spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg) pint of brandy For the almond paste: 225g ground almon