THE PERFECT Christmas bake

Hazel's boyfriend wasn't impressed by her baking skills. Would she ever manage to please him?

First attempt, 2017

As her boyfriend took a bite out of her cake, Hazel could hardly wait to find out his verdict.

'What's it like? I've never baked a Christmas cake before.'

Simon waved his hand and carried on chewing. It's got plenty of fruit,' he said at last.

'Yes,' she laughed. 'Several pounds.'

After one mouthful, he pushed the plate to one side, leaving the rest. 'It's OK, but the best Christmas cakes need time to mature. You need to do what my mother does. She always makes hers in the autumn.'

Fifth attempt, 2021

Hazel took the tin down from the top of the wardrobe, where it had been safely stored since she made the cake back in September.

Lifting the lid, she took an appreciative sniff. Heavenly!

Her second attempt had been undercooked and soggy in the middle. The following year, she overcompensated and left it in the oven too long.

The cake wasn't too bad, though, once you got through the concrete crust. Last year, Simon complained that there weren't enough cherries, and the year before, he said she hadn't added enough brandy. Each time, he told her to keep trying. 'You're slowly getting there, love,' he said.