Christmas Tree Cake

No piping is involved in this bright and colourful christmas tree cake, makining it good choice for all the family to help decorate.

INGREDIENTS

serves 20 - 25, 20 cm/8 inch round Rich Fruit Cake, 3 tbsp apricot jam, warmed and sieved, 900 g/2 lb marzipan, green, red, yellow and purple food colourings, 225 g/8 oz/1/3 quantity Royal Icing silver balls

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

25 cm/10 inch round cake board

STORING

The finished cake can be kept for up to three months in an airtight container.

1. Brush the cake with the apricot jam. Colour 675 g/1.5 lb of the marzipan green. Roll out thee green marzipan on a work surface lightly dusted with icing sugar and use it to cover the cake. Leave to dry for twelve hours.
2. Make the royal icing. Secure the cake to the cake board with a little of the icing. Spread the icing evenly on the side of the cake to cover just half way up. Starting at the bottom of the cake, press the flat side of a palette knife into the icing, then pull away sharply to form a peak. Repeat until the iced area is covered with peaks.
3. Draw three Christmas tree shapes in different sizes on to a piece of card and cut out. Take half of the remaining marzipan and colour it a slightly deeper shade of green than the top. Using the card templates as a guide, cut out three Christmas tree shapes. Arrange the trees on top of the cake.
4. Divide the remaining marzipan into three portions and colour it red, yellow and purple. Use a little of the marzipan to make five 9 cm/3 inch rolls from each colour. Loop the coloured lengths alternately around the top edge of the cake, pressing on to the top to secure firmly.
5. Make small balls from red marzipan and press on to the end of each loop.
6. Use the remaining marzipan to make the tree decorations. Roll the red marzipan into a thin rope and cut into eight 2.5 cm/1 inch lengths for the candles. Shape eight flames from the yellow icing and stick on the end of each candle. Mould 11 small balls from the purple icing and press a silver ball into the centre of each.
7. Arrange the candles and balls on the trees, securing them with a little water if neccesary.