Christmas Cake in Air Fryer

• raisins↗200г g
• golden raisins↗150г g
• dried apricots↗100г g

  coarsely chopped

• sugar cherries↗100г g

  halved

• grated zest↗75г g
• ground spice mix1 ст. л. tbsp
• brandy↗4 ст. л. tbsp

  or rum, plus extra for feeding

• orange↗1 маленький

  zest and juice

• golden syrup↗2 ст. л. tbsp
• salted butter↗200г g

  room temperature, plus extra for the pan

• light brown soft sugar↗200г g
• eggs↗4
• flour with leavening200г g
• ground almonds↗65г g

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place the dried fruits, grated zest and ground spice mix into a large bowl, pour in the brandy (or rum), orange zest and juice, and also the golden syrup. Mix well and let macerate overnight at room temperature.

2. 2

   Grease and line the bottom of a deep 20 cm diameter cake pan with butter. Beat the soft butter with the light brown sugar using an electric mixer until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour with leavening agent, ground almonds, and finally the soaked fruits.

3. 3

   Preheat the air fryer to 140 °C. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 2 h 30 min, turning the pan halfway through and covering it with foil, until the top turns golden. Check doneness by inserting a skewer into the centre – it should come out dry, with only crumbs.

4. 4

   Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Pierce it with a skewer all over and drizzle with brandy (or rum). Wrap tightly in parchment and foil, store in a cool dark place, feeding it every two weeks with another portion of brandy (or rum) until the cake reaches perfect flavor.