Dundee cake

(adapted from my mother's recipe)

8 oz self-raising flour
6 oz stoned prunes
4 oz sugar, plus 1 tablespoon Demerera sugar
3 eggs
3 tablespoons liquid, either from the prunes (see below), or use milk or beer.
1 lb mixed cake fruit

Cover stoned prunes with water, bring to boil, and leave to cool. Drain, discarding all but 3 tablespoons of the cooking liquid, and if you prefer to use milk or beer (beer gives the best flavour, and you can always drink the rest of the bottle), then discard or drink all of the cooking liquid.

Purée prunes food processor or rub through sieve. Cream with the sugar, beat in eggs and liquid, fold in flour and cake fruit. Sprinkle the extra spoonful of Demerara sugar on the top. Or you could cover the top with almonds, if you prefer.

Bake in 7" tin in a low oven (250 F, 125 C, Mark 1) for 2 1/2 hours.

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