As promised, here is this year‘s Ceylon Christmas Cake prepared as far as I was able to an original, traditional recipe.
As social media friends will recall, I baked this cake for the first time last year. Mandy, my wife, was surprised that I had decided to undertake this time consuming activity when there was much else to do! Nevertheless, there were reasons and they are these.
Not only is it a deliciously moist rich fruit cake, with sublime textures and flavours; not only do I love to be able to provide it to loved ones, but also it is reminiscent of my childhood and cultural heritage in a world long since passed.
Indeed, since I was only 5 years old when we migrated from Ceylon to England, the traditional Christmas Cake, Carols and the unique nature of celebration in a mutually respectful mixed faith community (Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims) linger only in memory.
Despite that my impressions are clear and distinct.
I can still hear the sounds of that time and smell the baking.
And my heart continues to be full of gratitude to my Father and Mother, Joseph and Alice, for all their love and self sacrifice for their seven children, of whom I was the 7th.
Do let me know if you would like the recipe and I will gladly share it. It is a little involved, but I, and all who have tasted this, can unreservedly confirm that the effort is justified by the eventual outcome.
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