This is an Eric Lanlard recipe-the French pastry chef who made Madonna's wedding cake and the Beckham children’s birthday cakes. Don’t be put off by the list of ingredients, it really isn't that bad, and the results are amazing. This is truly the king of fruit cakes. I ice it and use it as my Christmas cake every year, and un-iced throughout the year! My father-in-law claims it is the best fruit cake he has ever eaten (he's 75 and eaten a few!) and my husband and 3 year old go mad for it. It freezes perfectly, even if its iced, so no need to worry about the size of it.