The only giggling I did whilst making this recipe was at how my lovely puppy dog loved sniffing around my legs whilst I drained the fruit… I did drop a few currants on the floor, and my furry hoover helped to clean up the floor as I went along!… Hehe.
This is a cake that I have never heard of before, however it stems from my part of the world….. Well… The Fens to be precise!… A boiled fruit cake… sounds very unappealing… But believe me…It is TASTY!
It is said to make the baker giggle when she or he hears their guests OOH and AHH when they know just how easy it was to make!….. How true this is, I am not entirely sure…. But I like the mystery behind the name of this dish!
I have yet to make a local sweet dish… so I thought that I would give it a go… and I have to say… this fruit cake is deliciously sweet and, not being a fruit cake fan myself, I REALLY enjoyed this.
GIGGLE CAKE RECIPE: SERVES 8
- Ingredients
- 350g/12oz/2 cups mixed dried fruit
- 125g/4oz butter or margarine
- 175g/6oz/1 cup soft brown sugar
- 250g/8oz/2 cups self raising flour
- Pinch of salt
- 2 eggs beaten
- 225g/7.5 can chopped pineapple – drained
- 125g/4oz glace cherries – halved
- Put the mixed dried fruit into a large bowl and cover with boiling water
- Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes the drain well
- Put the butter or margarine and sugar into a large saucepan and heat gently until melted
- Add the drained mixed dried fruit and cook over a low heat, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes
- Remove from the heat and transfer to a mixing bowl
- Leave to cool
- Sift the flour and salt into the dried fruit mixture and stir well
- Add the eggs, mixing until thoroughly incorporated
- Add the pineapples and cherries to the cake mixture and stir to combine
- Transfer to a greased lined 1kg/2lb loaf tin and level the surface
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree c/350 degree f/gas mark 4 for about 1 hour
(My Gluten Free Adaptation)- Test the cake with a fine skewer – if it comes out clear the cake is cooked – if not return to the oven for a few more minutes
Enjoy with a Good Strong Cuppa!…. MSF x
Mmmm, looks and sounds very tasty!
It really is! It doesn’t look much, but so sweet…Give it a go : ) xx
This looks really delicious, and hope to make it next week! It is similar to a boiled fruit cake but that has 1 cup water in it but no pineapple or cherries. It was mentioned on the “Escape to the Country” UK TV show and as I love to cook I thought I might try it out. It looked delicious on the TV! I ‘Googled’ it hoping I would find it on the internet.
Thank you so much Judy, it’s a fantastic cake, I hope you enjoy it – I am glad you were able to find me! And thank you for watching the show… I loved filming, it was great fun! – Jo (Aka Miss Sue Flay)
Must have just seen the same episode of Escape to the Country on Australian TV as Judy (Oct 29) saw and I too had to Google to see what a Giggle cake was. Might have to make this cake one day soon.
I too watched that show & I have never heard of a giggle cake! Just have to make one as I love fruit cakes. My mother used to make a boiled raisin cake that I used to love, have not found a decent recipe yet, but still searching.
Old shows of Escape to the Country (now my #1 favourite show) is now showing in Canada. Just watched an episode that had “Giggle Cake” I was very curious about it and found you. I am looking forward in making it. Thank you! Hi from Dundas, Ontario Canada
Hi Sue/////Escape to The Country ……don’t miss an episode if I can help it….I love to revisit some of the areas I visited 50 years ago if you can believe. What changes. Today Oct. 26/18 I saw this episode with your video and now found your recipe for the Giggle Cake, which I had never heard of. Have printed off and so will try this soon….I live in Ontario so the shows we are seeing are ones taped from 2011-14. Cheers PB
I just saw the episode as well from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I’ve been contemplating making a fruit/Christmas cake but I’m giving this a try first! My hubby is very excited!
What is your dried fruit composition? I was thinking it’s glace peel, but now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t think so. Is it raisins, currants, apricot, date??? Please advise. Thx.
Question about the pineapple. Live in Canada. Is the tinned pineapple tidbits chopped smaller or well drained crushed?
Saw same programme repeated today had to look up recipe, thank you. Please don’t let dogs eat currants, raisins or saltanas as they are toxic to them and can cause renal failure
Looking forward to trying your recipe
Just made giggle cake, it’s in the oven and smells delicious, can’t wait to try it, my daughter and husband are also waiting patiently for it to finish cooking so they can have a bit.
If the smell of it cooking is anything to go by it will be lovely.
Escape to the Country got me to search for this cake! Making it this afternoon.
Wedding escape to the country too in Australia. Want to make this cake.
Had Giggle cake in a garden centre in north Devon while on holiday and decided to hunt for a recipe as it was delicious!
Saw this on an episode of Escape To The Country here in Australia….. going to be making this cake on the weekend