Stir Up Sunday

Tomorrow is Stir Up Sunday, the last Sunday before advent and traditionally the day when Christmas cake is made, allowing time for maturing.  I am slightly ashamed to admit that until I wrote this post I thought that the phrase “stir up” referred to  stirring the cake. However, it actually comes from the Anglican Book of Common prayer’s collect for the day:

“Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

There are many Christmas cake recipes out there that are tried, tested and long held favourites so I’m not going to give you a recipe – just a peak into my day of stirring.  I used Ruth Clemens’ Boozy Fruit Soak (but with extra figs and dates and less sultanas) and her Christmas cake recipe. I used it last year with great results so I’ve stuck with it,  especially after my disappointing episode with a Delia recipe (normally so reliable – oh Delia!) which resulted in something that looked more like a giant pontefract cake than a Christmas cake.

So, having set my fruit a-stewing over a month ago, I opened the tuppaware to release the  smell of Christmas and the baking commenced…

Pre-oven

Here’s the result-  I reckon it’s looking pretty tasty. It certainly smelled good.

Post-oven

Now it’s all wrapped up and maturing away, occasionally being fed with brandy every 3-4 days before it gets decorated about a week before Christmas. I’m open to decorating suggestions, so feel free to wade in with ideas.

If you’re making your cake this weekend I hope you have a lovely time – it definitely got me feeling that Christmas is on its way.

In hibernation, with occasional brandy-feeds (that sounds rather nice!)