Traditional British Christmas Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried currants
• 2 1/2 cups sultanas golden raisins
• 1 1/2 cups raisins
• 2 1/2 cups glace cherries red or a combination of red & green candied cherries
• 1/2 cup brandy or sherry, + more for feeding the Christmas cake - use orange juice to cover fruit completely for soaking overnight, if…
• 1 1/4 cups butter salted - softened, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs room temperature
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 3 ounces almonds chopped
• 1 Orange zest from one large
• 1 large lemon zest from one
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons spice blend British mixed, see recipe
• 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 1/2 pounds marzipan
• 3 large egg whites use the best, fresh eggs available
• 6 cups confectioners sugar sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar sifted w confectioners sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice half a large lemon, fresh, squeezed