Eggless Fruit Cake

1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp mixed spice
4 oz butter
6 oz dried mixed fruit
4 oz sugar
12 tbs hot water

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
8 oz self raising flour

Put the first 6 ingredients into a saucepan and heat, stirring until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool until lukewarm.
Add the bicarbonate of soda and stir.
Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the mixture. Mix well and pour into a greased cake tin. Smooth the top of the mixture and sprinkle with a few flaked almonds. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes at 185 degrees centigrade.Turn onto a wire rack to cool.