Royal Christmas Cake

This cake has been the crown of many Christmas dinners of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding from recipes my parents brought back from England after my Father’s internship at Royal Goldsmith’s Hall in London in 1964.

It has been observed that depending on the amount of cognac used in this cake and frosting, a valid driver’s license may need to be presented before consumption in the United States!

This cake has many variations, and tolerates substitutions well. I have even used hot tea and granola instead of the mincemeat and a heart-healthy shortening to create a holiday “breakfast cake”. On the other end of the spectrum, if one is feeling “provincial”there is butter cream frosting that uses ten egg yokes and four sticks of butter – depending on how many holidays one wishes to be present to enjoy.

Ingredients:

Cake:

Combine and let stand:

• 1 cup mincemeat or chopped dates
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup brandy or cognac
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda

Cream together:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 egg

Mix together:

• 1 1/2 cup sifted flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup nuts (optional) Pecans or Black Walnuts

Images – 2021 – KPS

Method:

Incorporate all of the above ingredients in the “usual manner” and pour into a 9″x12″ pan (or the equivalent). I often use more mincemeat instead of dates – this requires less added liquid depending on the mincemeat composition. Note: The fluted high bake pan pictured requires an additional few minutes of cooking.

Bake at 350 degrees (moderate oven) for 35 minutes or until toothpick test indicates done. I will slightly undercook to ensure stickier cake.

Let well cool on a baking rack before applying the frosting.

Frosting:

Traditional:

• 5 Tbs of brown sugar
• 5 Tbs of cream, and
• 2 Tbs butter
• Splash of brandy or cognac to taste

Boil for three minutes.

Spread on cake and sprinkle with coconuts or nuts.

Simple “No Cook” method:

Combine:

• 1 part butter
• 4 parts confectionary sugar until desired quantity is achieved. *
• Drop of vanilla extract
• Drop of brandy extract

* Add additional confectionary sugar to reach desire consistency (to spread, drizzle, flow then set, etc.)

Garnish with holiday marzipan and a fresh green sprig (no live berries for safety). A Mid-west custom following the Great Depression was to serve cake with a splash of heavy cream or whole milk. Here we add a Holiday Eggnog to the decadence and serve with a Brandy Alexander. Please be seated before, during, and after consumption…

Traditional English Christmas Prayer

“Beloved in Christ, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city.

And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one. These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven.

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all.” Amen.

Episcopal Prayers for Advent Lessons & Carols

Book of Occasional Services  

(pages 33-34)

Make a donation toward humanitarian and relief ministry in the Holy Land through

The Episcopal Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem

HERE

Please consider your ongoing support throughout the year...

Images – 2021 – KPS

“America produces enough food to feed the world three times over. Why, why, why are children going hungry?”

– Harry Chapin

Congressional Silver Medal of Honor

20th Century Vermont singer, song writer, co-founder of Farm Aid.