Expert: Elyse Grau - 1/2/2010

Question
Have you any tips for cutting rich fruit cake.
It crumbles however carefully I try.
I wonder if serrated or plain carver is best and possibly heating, wetting or anything will help.
It was Marks & Spencer best quality purchase!
With thanks

Answer
John:
I'm not very experienced with fruit cake, but I'm suprised that it crumbles, as I would expect it to be very moist and heavy. I would expect a serrated knife to work the best, but it depends on the knife. Some with very large serrations actually tear the bread. If you are using a serrated knife presently, that could be the problem. You might also try a heavy chef's knife and cutting straight down. Wetting a carving knife works well for sticky items, using hot water is the best.

If all else fails, try refrigerating or even freezing the bread before cutting. If frozen, you will have to either get it before it freezes too hard, or let it partially thaw before trying to cut it. I'd do the former,if possible, then freeze the sliced pieces.

Elyse