Christmas Pudding Fruit Cake

Decoration

1. Measure the currants, raisins, apricots, cranberries and brandy into a bowl. Cover and leave to soak overnight until all of the brandy has been absorbed by the fruit.
2. Preheat the oven to 130 Fan. Line a 20cm deep cake tin with baking paper.
3.  Measure the eggs, flour, sugar, spices and orange extract into a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until the cake mixture is light and fluffy. Add the soaked fruits and fold in well. Spoon into the tin and level the top. Bake for 3 hours until golden brown and cooked through in the middle. Test if the cake is cooked by inserting a cocktail stick into the centre of the cake, If it comes out clean, the cake is cooked through.
4.  Cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Roll out the icing on a work surface dusted with icing sugar. Cut out a circle the same size as the cake. Cut out a wiggly half circle to make the shape of the top a Christmas pudding.
6.  Brush the top of the cake with jam. Put the icing on the top part of the cake to look like a Christmas pudding. Put a cherry at the top and decorate with holly leaves.