Christmas Fruit Cake

• ¾ Cup butter room temperature
• 1 Cup brown sugar
• 2½Cups mixed dried fruits
• 1 Cup glace cherries roughly chopped
• 1 Cup dried canberries
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ½ Cup orange juice
• 3 large eggs lightly whisked
• 1½Cup all-purpose/ plain flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp allspice
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

1. In a large saucepan mix together butter, sugar, mixed dried fruits, cranberries, glace cherries, orange and lemon zest, orange juice.
2. Let the mixture simmer for 10min on medium heat stirring occasionally.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 30min.
4. After 30min stir in eggs to the fruit mixture.
5. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and spices and add to the fruit mixture mix properly.
6. Spoon the mixture into the baking tray .If you are not using a non stick pan line the tray with parchment paper.
7. Preheat oven to 150°C and bake the cake for 45min,after 45 lower the temperature to 140°C and continue baking for 2 more hours.
8. When the cake is done remove it from oven and poke some holes using a skewer.
9. Prepare syrup by mixing ½ Cup water,2 tsp maple syrup,½ cup brown sugar and bring to boil.
10. Pour the syrup over the cake, let it cool completely.
11. Remove from baking tray you can serve or keep for some days.