ORANGE & DARK CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS CAKE

SERVES 12 / PREPARATION: 30 MIN + SOAKING COOKING: 3 HOURS

1kg mixed fruit

125ml (½c) orange juice

125ml (½c) orange liqueur

200g butter, softened

250ml (1c) brown sugar 4 eggs

330ml plain flour, sifted

125g (½c) chopped unsalted macadamias

100g dark chocolate, chopped

125ml (½c) halved macadamias icing sugar, to serve

Preheat the oven to 160°C. Lightly grease and double line a round 20cm-deep cake tin with baking paper.

1 In a large nonmetallic bowl, combine the mixed fruit, orange juice and liqueur. Set aside, covered, overnight.

2 In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the flour, fruit and liquid, chopped macadamias and chocolate.

3 Spoon the mixture into the tin, smoothing the top. Cover with the halved macadamias. Bake for 3 hours (cover with foil if the cake is getting too brown) until cooked then set aside to cool.

4 To serve Dust with icing sugar to serve.