Christmas spice cake

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Christmas spice cake

Laced with deliciously warming spices, this Christmas spice cake is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.


Mum would spend the weeks leading up to Christmas frantically getting everything ready. Food, gifts, decorations: no-one did Christmas like my Mum. As was traditional, she would get the Christmas pudding started weeks in advance, on Stir-up Sunday; one of my earliest memories is standing on the stool at the kitchen counter and giving the Christmas pudding the traditional stir while making an earnest wish. That was the start of Christmas when I was a child. 

Christmas is one of the hardest periods of the year since Mum left us - it's never been the same as when I was a child. But I'm determined to make sure my kids have the same special memories of Christmas traditions that my Mum gave to me, because they last forever and bring comfort on some of the darkest days. So, I find myself running around frantically getting everything ready, just like Mum. From presents to parties, it can be a pretty hectic time - but I find that taking out an afternoon to sit back, reflect, and enjoy some cake and tea (or mulled wine!) does absolute wonders for the spirit. To prepare for my afternoon of indulgence, I'll crank up the Christmas playlist and get baking, the lights on the tree glowing softly and the smell of pine in the air. 

My usual traditional Christmas baking involves these ginger cakes - as some of you know, I'm no fan of mince pies, so these have become a staple during the holidays. However, this year it has been challenging trying to get all the ingredients, so I decided to make a different type of cake that would still have that wonderful Christmassy smell and taste. This Christmas spice cake has been a huge success, so it looks like I'll have to make both types of cake for the next few Christmasses. 

Here's to traditions, old and new, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Christmas spice cake

Ingredients

4 eggs (yolks and whites separated)
130g sugar
80g butter
120g flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp honey
1.5 tsp mixed ground spices (cinammon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves)

Instructions

1) Separate the egg whites from the yolks into two bowls. 
2) Melt the butter on a low heat. Meanwile, mix the sugar into the egg yolks.
3) Add the melted butter and honey to the yolk-sugar mixture and mix well. 
4) Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture and add the ground spices. Stir really well to achieve a smooth consistency. 
5) Use a whisk or mixer to beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, then gently fold them into the batter. 
6) Pour the mixture into a greased cake tin and bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 180°C. 

🎄⭐🎅 Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful Christmas! ðŸŽ…⭐🎄


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