When Do I Apply The Jam Coating For The Glossy Fruit And Nut Topping For Christmas Cake?

Our answer

Nigella has a few different ways to decorate the Traditional Christmas Cake, including a Glossy Fruit And Nut Topping, Snowscene Icing and Smooth Hatbox Icing (all in NIGELLA CHRISTMAS). For the fruit and nut topping the cake is coated with an apricot jam glaze, the whole nuts and candied fruit are arranged artfully on top of the cake and then this decoration is coated with another layer of apricot glaze.

If you want to feed your rich fruit cake while it matures, this should be done before any glaze or decoration is added. So we suggest feeding the cake for 2 weeks while it sits in its wrapping and cake tin and then painting on the glaze and decorating just ahead of Christmas. The glaze probably won't completely prevent the alcohol from soaking into the cake, though it could slow down the process slightly. Additionally, it makes feeding the cake a little more messy if there is a glaze on top. Also, importantly, the glaze needs to be put on the cake just before the decoration is added as it acts as the "glue" to keep the decoration on and if it is added onto the cake too far in advance then it will not be as sticky. The same principle applies if you were applying a layer of marzipan before adding the Snowscene or Smooth Hatbox icings. Always put on the glaze just before decorating.