CHRISTMAS CAKE

Christmas cake as we know it now - a rich fruit cake with marzipan and icing - was introduced as a custom by the Victorians.

Prior to that period, cake was eaten during Christmas, but without the toppings.

The idea of using marzipan is thought to be linked to the Tudor Marchpane, an iced and decorated cake of marzipan that acted as the table centrepiece during banquets and festive occasions.