Collection only from The Pear in Clare. Made to order in small batches, ready to collect on set Saturdays.
A proper Christmas cake, the kind that sits wrapped in the cupboard from October getting quietly better every week. We weigh out everything you need, including the fruit already soaked in brandy so you can skip the bit that needs planning a fortnight ahead.
It's the answer to the annual problem of buying a whole bag of mixed spice, a bag of almonds and a box of dark brown sugar for one cake, then finding them all again next November. Everything is measured, nothing is wasted, and it comes in paper rather than plastic.
Packed in paper bags, not plastic.
Every date needs a week's notice, and there are ten kits per date. Once a date is full or its order-by date has passed, it closes.
| Order by | Collect on |
|---|---|
| Sat 26 Sept | Sat 3 Oct |
| Sat 10 Oct | Sat 17 Oct |
| Sat 24 Oct | Sat 31 Oct |
| Sat 7 Nov | Sat 14 Nov |
| Sat 21 Nov | Sat 28 Nov |
| Sat 5 Dec | Sat 12 Dec |
If you like to make your cake early and feed it through to Christmas, go for one of the October dates. 12 December is the last date of the year. Shop opening hours are on our The Pear page, and all our Christmas dates are on the Christmas ordering page.
Contains: cereals containing gluten (wheat), nuts (almonds), eggs, sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
The dried fruit is soaked in brandy (40% ABV). Some alcohol remains after baking. Not suitable for anyone avoiding alcohol.
Keep the eggs in the fridge and the rest somewhere cool and dry until you bake. Once baked, the cake keeps for up to three months wrapped in baking paper and foil.
When do I get it?
On the Saturday you choose when you order. We make each batch fresh for that date, which is why we need a week's notice.
Can it be delivered or posted?
No, sorry. Cake kits are collection only from the shop in Clare. The fresh eggs and the weight of the fruit make them impractical to post or send out on our delivery rounds.
Can I change my collection date?
Get in touch before the order-by date for your Saturday and we'll move you to another date if there's space.
How long do the eggs last?
They're fresh each week, so they'll have plenty of life left when you collect. Bake within a few days and you'll be fine.
When should I make my cake?
Any time from October gives you weeks to feed it with brandy, which is where the depth comes from.
Do I need any special equipment?
A 23cm (9in) round cake tin, baking paper and foil. Nothing unusual, but worth checking your tin size before you order.
What if I miss my collection date?
Let us know and we'll hold it for you. Your kit will be made up and waiting.
Why only ten per date?
Because we weigh and pack every one by hand between serving customers. Ten is what we can do properly on a Saturday.
A few things our customers come back for
