Christmas is a never ending fascination with its glittering stars, cribs, decorated Christmas trees, and above all, the yummy cakes. Even though the Christmas season is quite a few days away, the remote preparations have already kicked off. In fact, Christmas cakes and wine are prepared long before of Christmas season.
Cake mixing, which is much in vogue today, is a recent introduction into our Christmas preparations. The custom, which was earlier practiced only in star hotels, has now become a household affair also.
Cake mixing has its origins in Europe just like any other Christmas tradition. A custom that has been prevalent for many centuries, cake mixing ceremony was a part of family get together in Europe. It was celebrated during the post harvest period. They prepared their Christmas cake with newly harvested fruits, nuts and wine.
In the course of time, this delectable custom was adopted by people of other countries.
Hotels, resorts and shopping malls gear up for cake mixing ceremony during October- November period. Inviting celebrities and VIPs to the event is also not rare. The flavor, aroma and quality of the fruits contained are vital elements for fruit cakes.
For the mixing, a large container will be filled with dried fruits like cashew nut, almond, pistachio, tutti frutti, strawberry, peaches, apricot, blueberry, pineapple, fig, cherry, plum and orange peel along with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Then a mixture of fruit juice and honey blended with wine or liquor will be poured into this container.
The mixing session that follows is more or less an exciting party accompanied by music. The aroma emanates from the dried fruits and nuts saturated in wine or liquor will intoxicate you with an ineffable excitement. Once the process is complete, the mix is shifted into a container, where it will be preserved for 30 to 45 days. The mixture will be taken out only in the first week of December. The quantity of the mixture depends upon the number and size of cakes to be made.
There are many alluring pastries and cake varieties in the market like the white forest, black forest and the red velvet. But, for a perfect Christmas celebration, you really need a delicious plum cake bedecked with yummy cherries, grapes and tutti frutti!
