The holiday season is all about warmth, joy, and, of course, baking! There’s something incredibly magical about filling your kitchen with the rich scents of spices and dried fruits, and that’s exactly what this traditional Christmas cake recipe brings to life. I remember the first time I made this cake with my grandmother; we’d spend hours laughing and sharing stories as we stirred the thick batter and decorated it with festive delights. Each slice of this cake tells a story of family traditions and celebrations. Trust me, once you get the hang of this recipe, you’ll find it’s a delightful way to spread holiday cheer and create lasting memories with your loved ones!
Ingredients
- 250g mixed dried fruit
- 100g glacé cherries, halved
- 100g almonds, chopped
- 200g unsalted butter, softened
- 200g brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 100ml brandy (or more for soaking the fruit)
How to Prepare the Christmas Cake Recipe
Preheat and Prepare the Cake Tin
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 150°C (300°F). This low and slow approach is key to making sure our cake bakes evenly. While that’s warming up, grab your cake tin and grease it well with some butter. I like to line the bottom and sides with parchment paper too—this makes it super easy to remove the cake later and prevents sticking. A little prep goes a long way!
Mix the Ingredients
Now, let’s dive into the fun part! In a big mixing bowl, combine your mixed dried fruit, glacé cherries, and chopped almonds. Give it a gentle toss to get everything coated and set aside. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-5 minutes. It’s like magic watching it transform! Next, add in your eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps keep everything nice and airy.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Time to sift! Gently sift in your flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt into the butter and sugar mixture. I like to do this step slowly—it helps break up any lumps and ensures even mixing. Carefully fold in the fruit and nut mixture until everything is just combined. You want to be gentle here; we don’t want to lose that lovely airiness we’ve created! Finally, stir in the brandy, making sure it’s well incorporated.
Bake the Cake
Pour that beautiful batter into your prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Now, pop it in the oven and let it bake for about 1.5 hours. I know, it feels like forever, but the aroma will be worth it! To check if it’s done, stick a skewer into the center; if it comes out clean, you’re golden! If it’s still a bit gooey, just give it another 10 minutes and check again.
Cooling and Storing
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for about 10-15 minutes. This helps it set and makes it easier to take out. After that, gently transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once it’s cooled down, wrap it in parchment paper and foil. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature, and trust me, it’ll only get better with time. It’s a cake that loves to rest and develop its flavors, so don’t be shy about making it a few days in advance!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk numbers! This traditional Christmas cake recipe is not just a treat for the taste buds; it also packs some nutritional info worth noting. Each 100g serving contains approximately 350 calories, with 15g of fat and 5g of protein. You’ll also find around 25g of sugar and 50g of carbohydrates. Remember, these values are estimates based on typical ingredients, so your cake may vary a bit. It’s a decadent slice of holiday joy, perfect for indulging during the festive season while savoring every delightful bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, indulgent flavor that’s perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Embraces family traditions, bringing everyone together in the kitchen.
- Simple, straightforward steps make it easy to prepare.
- Deliciously improves over time, allowing you to make it ahead of the festivities.
- Versatile enough to customize with your favorite fruits and nuts!
Tips for Success
To make sure your Christmas cake turns out perfectly, I have a few handy tips! First, soaking the dried fruit in brandy overnight not only enhances the flavor but also helps keep the cake moist. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! Also, don’t rush the cooling process; let your cake rest completely on a wire rack. This helps it firm up nicely, making it easier to slice later. If you can, wrap the cooled cake tightly in parchment paper and foil, then let it sit for a few days. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, making each slice even more delightful!
Variations on the Christmas Cake Recipe
One of the best things about this Christmas cake recipe is how easily it can be customized! For a spicier kick, try adding a teaspoon of ground ginger or a pinch of allspice to the mix. You could swap out the almonds for walnuts or pecans for a different nutty flavor. Feeling fruity? Toss in some dried apricots or figs alongside the mixed dried fruit. And if you want to take it up a notch, consider incorporating a splash of orange juice or zest for a bright citrus note. The possibilities are endless—get creative and make it your own!
FAQ About Christmas Cake
Can I make this Christmas cake recipe in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, this cake gets better with time. You can make it up to a month in advance. Just store it wrapped in parchment and foil in an airtight container. The flavors will deepen, making it even more delicious for the holidays!
What’s the best way to store the cake?
To keep your Christmas cake fresh, wrap it tightly in parchment paper and then in foil. Store it in a cool, dry place. You can also refrigerate it if you prefer, but make sure it’s well-wrapped to prevent it from drying out.
Can I use different fruits or nuts?
Yes! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite dried fruits like apricots or figs, or switching up the nuts. Just make sure to keep the overall weight similar to maintain the cake’s texture!
Do I need to soak the dried fruit?
Soaking the dried fruit in brandy overnight is highly recommended! It enhances the flavor and helps keep the cake moist. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the results will be even more delightful if you soak them.
How can I tell when the cake is done baking?
To check for doneness, insert a skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it, your cake is ready! If there’s wet batter on the skewer, give it another 10 minutes and check again.
Christmas Cake Recipe: 5 Steps to Festive Perfection
- Całkowity Czas: 2 hours
- Ustępować: 1 cake 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
A traditional Christmas cake recipe that is rich and flavorful.
Składniki
- 250g mixed dried fruit
- 100g glacé cherries
- 100g almonds, chopped
- 200g unsalted butter
- 200g brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 100ml brandy
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
- Grease and line a cake tin with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix dried fruit, cherries, and almonds.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Sift flour, baking powder, spices, and salt into the mixture.
- Fold in the fruit and nut mixture.
- Stir in the brandy until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin.
- Bake for about 1.5 hours or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool before removing from the tin.
Uwagi
- You can soak the dried fruit in brandy overnight for more flavor.
- This cake tastes better after a few days.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Czas Przygotowania: 30 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 90 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: British
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 100g
- Kalorie: 350
- Cukier: 25g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 15g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 5g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 7g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 50g
- Włókno: 2g
- Białko: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Słowa kluczowe: christmas cake recipe, holiday cake, fruitcake
