I used to make this cake for my late mother in-law and mum in late 1970's. they were both strict vegetarians. In case you are wondering, what makes it rise, when vinegar mixes with the bicarbonate of soda, it fizzes and make it rise.
Ingredients
| • | 250 gm. plain white flour (maida), sifted |
| • | A pinch of salt |
| • | 100 gm. fine or caster sugar |
| • | 1/2 tsp. baking powder |
| • | 1/2 tsp. bicarbonate of soda |
| • | 1/2 tsp. mixed spice |
| • | 60 gm. butter, at room temperature |
| • | 125 gm. mixed fruits |
| • | 60 gm. candied peel |
| • | 125 ml. or 1/2 cup milk |
| • | 1 tbs. or 15 ml vinegar |
Instructions
| 1. | Pre-heat oven to 350°F or 180°C (10°C less in fan oven), gas mark 4. |
| 2. | Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, mixed spice, all together in a bowl. |
| 3. | Rub in butter, either in a food processor or with your fingers. |
| 4. | Add chopped fruit and candied peel and mix with your fingers. |
| 5. | Add bicarbonate of soda to the 1/2 cup of milk. It will fizz. While it is fizzing, add vinegar. |
| 6. | Make a small well in the centre of the flour mix and pour in milk/vinegar mix in, quickly. |
| 7. | Mix it fast and transfer to a greased and lined cake tin. |
| 8. | Bake in the centre of the pre-heated oven for approximately 1 hour. Oven times vary, so check after 50 minutes or so. When ready, a skewer inserted into the cake should come out clean. |
| 9. | You can put an icing of choice, if you like. But I prefer it without icing. |