As-you-like-it Christmas cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1kg mixed dried fruits (any blend of raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel, dried cranberries, glacé cherries, chopped dried apricots, dates, dried figs or dried pineapple)
• 150ml sherry , brandy, rum or brewed tea, plus extra for feeding
• zest and juice 2 oranges , 2 lemons or 4 clementines
• 250g pack unsalted butter , softened, plus extra for the tin
• 250g light, soft brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 200g plain flour
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• 100g whole or flaked almonds , chopped hazelnuts, walnuts or brazil nuts (optional)