The Christmas cake I still make in memory of my magical mother
Joyce Owens’ Christmas Cake, using a recipe that runs in her family
I WAS six or seven, and it was Christmas Eve morning.
I have an explosion of memories at our home in Ballyphehane. Turkey in the hall, puddings at the ready, and, more than anything else, the ingredients set out for a very large, nine-inch cake.
There lay ahead trips to the Coal Quay for holly and the big tree, to Barry’s tea merchant, not forgetting O’Donovan’s for a mighty ham, sausages and bacon. Then on to the Munster Arcade and the Queen’s Old Castle.
My mother, Martha, an organised shopper and good cook, had made out her lists, but on this Christmas Eve, our family was short of cash.
There was a chance a MoneyGram would arrive from London from my sister Maryann, a nurse in Kent 19 years my senior. She had left home before I was born - I was the youngest of 11, she was the eldest.
Maryann sent regular payments, but this was a vital one. Hopefully, it would arrive at the GPO to be cashed just in time for Christmas.
In the meantime, a decision was reached, the tree growing in the garden would be dug up and brought in. It was gorgeous, wide enough for all our decorations, and tall enough for the lights.
It was such a busy day as she picked up all the goodies - not forgetting the USA Biscuits in Roches Stores and a bottle of Rasa.
When she returned there was still much to do, so she would toil in the kitchen from 4pm to after midnight.
My mother had once again created the perfect, magical Christmas. And never once did I hear her complain or ask for any help.
The spirit she gave me echoes through each Christmas.
Every year, I make that nine-inch cake using the same recipe, a tradition started by Maryann.
The cake would bake for hours. After it settled, a homemade marzipan of eggs and ground almonds were all mixed and glazed onto it.
After the cake had stood for a while, it was again glazed with home-made royal icing and strewn with traditional decorations in readiness for Christmas afternoon tea, after the main dinner was served.
