No overnight fruit soaking needed for this luscious and festive fruitcake.
1 1/2 cups chopped soft prunes
1 cup raisins
2 tbs. currants
175ml honey
125ml Tia Maria or similar favorite
zest and juice of 1 orange
1 tsp. mixed spice
2 tbs. good quality cocoa powder
12 1/2 tbs. softened butter
7/8 cup dark brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 1 tbs. ground almonds
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Tip the fruit into a large saucepan and add the honey, Tia Maria, orange zest and juice, mixed spice, cocoa, butter and sugar. Heat gently, then leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 300°F and line the bottom of an 8″ springform tin with parchment paper.
Add the eggs to the cooled fruit mixture, then stir in the flour, ground almonds, baking powder and baking soda. Mix well, then spread into the prepared tin. Bake for 2 hours, or until a tester comes out clean. Cover with foil if the top is becoming too brown.
Leave to cool, then remove from the tin and decorate or sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.
Cooking with Nigella 
how long will this keep in a cake tin once baked and cooled.
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If well wrapped or kept in an airtight container, it should last for 2-3 weeks. Also, you can freeze all or part of it.
Happy Christmas!
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Many thanks for your help, have a very Merry Christmas.
Best wishes
Paul
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