Bangalore, Dec 12 (ANI): The age-old tradition of cake mixing began here on Friday as confectioners, bakers, chefs and a group of selected guests mixed dry fruits and cherries with rum, wine and brandy to blend for their special Christmas plum cake of 2010.

As a part of the ceremony held at Whitefield on the outskirts of the city, the confectioners marinated the dry fruits by soaking them in rum, brandy and wine, all set for the next year’s cake.

Preparations for the Christmas cake begin months in advance and cake mixing is the first step towards it.

The longer the dry fruits are left to soak and ferment in the liquor, the better is the end result which only the eater can relate!

“We have a mixing of nuts with liquor rum, brandy and wine mixed together and… mixed together and we keep it for preservation for a year and then we make a cake and make a Christmas plum cake for the next year,” said Bevin, a senior confectioner, Bangalore.

The guests also regaled mixing the dry fruits with liquor and contribute their mite towards the next year’s cake.

“Really nice, its like such a team effort and to feel like you are part of next year’s cake you contribute to it, its very… and it builds the team spirit,” said Preeti, a guest.The dry fruits will be left soaking, after which they will be blended in the batter for baking of the X’Mas cake.

Christmas is a time to spread love and good tidings. Cakes, cookies and other goodies form an integral part of the celebrations along with music and wine.

The sale of cakes and other bakery items goes up tremendously during the time of Christmas and New Year. (ANI)