Christmas Recipes : Christmas Gingerbread

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Serves: 4
Cooking time (approx.): 15 minutes
Style: Christmas Recipe

2 cup(s) plain flour
½ cup(s) whole wheat flour
4 teaspoon(s) baking powder
2 teaspoon(s) ground ginger
2 teaspoon(s) mixed spice powder
a pinch of salt
4 tablespoons mixed candied fruit peels coarsely chopped
1 cup(s) butter softened
2 cup(s) brown sugar
3 eggs beaten
1 cup(s) sour cream
½ cup(s) honey
4 tablespoons orange liqueur
½ cup(s) orange juice
1 cup(s) almonds slivered
1 cup(s) raisins

Preheat the oven to 375^oF (175^oC).
Sift together the first six ingredients into a bowl. Mix in the candied fruit peels.
Beat the butter and sugar in another bowl till light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs beating well after each addition. Add the sour cream, honey, orange liqueur and orange juice. Mix in the almonds and raisins.
Fold in the sifted flour and the prepared mixture. Spoon this mixture into a greased and floured rectangular mold such that there is atleast 1" head space.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or till done (when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean). Let cool for about an hour. Cut the gingerbread into slices and place on a serving dish. Sift unsweetened cocoa and / or powdered sugar over the slices.

TIPS:
Mixed spice powder is a mix of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and allspice powders.

Serve accompanied with: whipped cream