How to make
Put all the dried fruits together and pour the rum over them. Cover and leave them to stand for 24 hours in a cold area. Mix the flour, spices, salt, baking powder, baking soda. Take 1/4 of this dry mixture and mix it into the fruits.
Separately, beat the butter, sugar, jam and honey. Add the eggs one at a time to them, and then add the flour mixture and the other dry ingredients. Stir well, then add the fruit mixture and hazelnuts. Finally, mix it with a spatula. Lay out a tray or cake form with baking paper and lightly grease it.
Put the mixture in it and arrange almonds on top if desired. Put it to bake in a well pre-heated 300°F (150 °C) oven. Bake the Christmas cake on a moderate heat and be sure to place a tray with water underneath it. Baking takes about 1 hour, check for readiness with a stick.
Cool the finished Christmas cake well. Moisten a large cheesecloth with rum and wrap the cooled cake well. Then wrap it once more in aluminum foil and leave it in a cool place for several days.
