Christmas Cake

Cake

• 100 g glacé cherries, halved
• 100 g candied mixed peel
• 225 g currants
• 225 g raisins
• 225 g sultanas
• 100 g brandy
• 100 g boiling water
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 1 orange, thin peelings of skin only
• 225 g dark brown sugar
• 225 g unsalted butter, soft, plus extra for greasing
• 4 large eggs
• 20 g treacle
• 225 g plain flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 60 g flaked almonds

Icing and Decoration

• icing sugar, for dusting
• 500 g marzipan
• 2 Tbsp apricot jam, smooth, mixed with 1 tsp boiling water
• 500 g fondant icing
• green food colouring gel, as desired