Isle Of Wight Farmhouse Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces flour
4 ounces butter or 4 ounces lard
4 ounces sugar
4 ounces sultanas
4 ounces raisins
4 ounces currants
1 ounce chopped mixed peel
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
1 pinch salt
1 medium egg, well beaten
1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/4 pint milk
3 slices candied peel (to garnish)

Preparation

Set oven to 350*F or Mark 4.
Well greate a 2 lb loaf tin.
In a bowl, rub the fat into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add all the dry ingredients and fruits except the soda and mix well.
slightly warm the milk in a pan and add the soda. Make a well in the centre of the mixture, add the milk and the well beaten egg and stir thoroughly together.
Put the mixture into the loaf tin and arrange a few slices of peel along the top.
Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until nicely brown and a skewer pushed into the center comes our clean.
Leave to stand for a few minutes and then turn out onto a rack to cool.