Wholemeal Guinness Cake

– New recipe

Ingredients

8oz (225g) margarine
8oz (225g) soft brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten (at room temperature)
12oz (350g) wholemeal flour
2 level teaspoons baking powder
1 level teaspoon mixed spice
6oz (175g) currants
6oz (175g) sultanas
3oz (75g) walnuts, not too finely chopped
grated zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon orange marmalade
1/4 pint (150ml) Guinness

For the topping

1oz (25g) flaked almonds, crushed a little
2 level tablespoons demerara sugar

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 2 (300F), 150C.

 

First line the base and sides of a 71/2 inch or 8 inch (19 or 20 cm) deep cake tin with greaseproof or silicone paper and brush the paper with melted margarine.

Now, sieve the brown sugar into a large bowl (sifting removes any hard lumps. Then add the margarine and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, beating well between each addition. Now combine the flour, baking powder and mixed spice together, then carefully fold in the flour mixture - about 2 tablespoons at a time - alternately with 2 tablespoons of Guinness. When all the stout and dry ingredients have been added, gently fold in the fruit, nuts, grated orange peel and marmalade, then spoon th mixture into the prepared tin. Level the top with the back of a spoon and sprinkle with the demerara sugar and flaked amonds.

Now bake in the centre of the oven for about 21/4-2/12 hours, or until the cake just shows signs of shrinking away from the side of the tin and the centre feels firm and springy. Remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool for about 30 minutes before taking it out of the tin. When it's cool, wrap in greaseproof paper or silicone paper and store in an airtight tin for a few days before eating.

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