a muslim friend wants me to make a fruit cake for his family who only eat halal foods i know that dried fruit is fine but please can anyone tell me if butter is ok ?
many thanks, Jill

Hi Jill, Yes butter is ok but not the Lard.

Regards
Bashir

Bashir, thanks, I gather that many sweets contain gelatin of dubious origin so they are a no no for decoration. I always use organic free range eggs so they should be ok. I hadn't realised until today that pork products are often used in margarine! it's certainly a much healthier diet
Jill

measle I always use butter for baking - matter of taste really I guess. Decorate with glace cherries(you can get good natural ones - loads darker and should only be 'processed' with sugar )or nuts which you have lightly toated in oven (need to do for short time only - say 7 mins - don't want burnt) or place 'raw' on top of cake mixture before putting in oven - may need to cover with greaseproof paper if browning too much. Once done glaze top cake with melted apricot jam.

thanks, Ishka, i have some of those cherries, the son wants me to decorate it with marzipan, i have some natural, and sugar paste trees, art deco designs and flowers, which can be eaten.
Jill