Embrace the heartwarming joy of holiday baking with a classic christmas themed cake recipe. This cherished festive delight is more than just a dessert; it is a rich, spiced, and fruit-filled masterpiece that perfectly captures the spirit of the season. A beautifully adorned christmas themed cake recipe serves as the ultimate centerpiece for any holiday gathering. Plus, you can easily prepare it weeks in advance, allowing its complex flavors to deepen and mature. Start a wonderful new holiday tradition in your kitchen this year!
Tracing back to plum porridge, the Christmas cake has a rich history deeply rooted in holiday traditions.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Themed Cake
This traditional christmas themed cake recipe offers many reasons to fall in love with it:
- Enjoy its rich, deep, and complex flavors that truly embody holiday cheer.
- Savor a wonderfully moist and decadent texture, a hallmark of a well-made fruitcake.
- The cake perfectly embodies traditional festive charm, making it a holiday staple.
- It’s ideal for making weeks, even months, ahead, letting its flavors fully develop.
- This homemade treat makes an impressive and thoughtful gift for loved ones.
- Our simple, straightforward instructions ensure baking success for everyone.
Ingredients
Gather these essential ingredients to create your delicious christmas themed cake recipe:
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (8 fl oz/225 ml) ODriscolls Irish Whiskey (or apple juice/orange juice*)
- 1 ¼ cups (10 oz/300 g) butter, room temperature
- 1 ⅔ cups (13 oz/367 g) muscovado sugar (or dark brown sugar)
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (10 oz/282 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Fruits & Nuts:
- 3 cups (15 oz/426 g) raisins
- ⅓ cup (2 oz/58 g) candied peel
- 1 medium orange, zested
- 1 medium lemon, zested
- 1 ½ cups (8 oz/225 g) glace cherries
- ½ cup (2 ½ oz/71 g) chopped or sliced almonds
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this christmas themed cake recipe with various substitutions. Feel free to customize it to your taste or dietary needs.
- Dried Fruits: Use a mixed fruit blend, chopped dried apricots, dates, or figs for variety.
- Candied Peel: If store-bought isn’t available, substitute with extra chopped dried fruit or homemade candied citrus peel.
- Citrus Zest: For a concentrated flavor boost, use citrus extracts instead of fresh zest.
- Whiskey: Rum, brandy, or even fruit juice (apple or orange) work wonderfully as substitutes.
- Flour: A gluten-free baking blend or almond flour can replace all-purpose flour.
- Mixed Spice/Nutmeg: Pumpkin pie spice is an excellent alternative if you do not have mixed spice.
- Butter: Use a plant-based margarine or a dairy-free baking alternative for a vegan version.
- Muscovado Sugar: Light brown sugar or coconut sugar are suitable stand-ins.
- Eggs: Flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) or unsweetened applesauce (¼ cup per egg) work well.
- Almonds: Try other nuts like walnuts or pecans, or use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for a nut-free option.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking your christmas themed cake recipe much easier. You will need:
- A 10-inch round cake pan.
- Parchment paper for lining.
- Measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.
- Large mixing bowls for combining ingredients.
- An electric mixer (stand or hand-held) for creaming.
- A spatula or wooden spoon for folding.
- A skewer for testing doneness.
- Aluminum foil for covering and storage.
Instructions
Creating this festive christmas themed cake recipe involves a few simple steps, ensuring a rich and delicious outcome.
The Night Before
- Combine your dried raisins, candied peel, orange zest, lemon zest, and whiskey (or chosen substitute) in a large bowl.
- Stir everything well to ensure all fruits are thoroughly coated with the liquid.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
- Allow the fruit to macerate overnight at room temperature. This step is crucial for infusing the fruits with flavor and moisture.
The Next Day
- Preheat your oven to 280°F (140°C). This low temperature is key for a slow, even bake.
- Butter and line your 10-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it extends above the rim.
- Rinse the glace cherries thoroughly to remove excess syrup, then quarter them.
- Toss the quartered cherries lightly in a tablespoon of flour. This helps prevent them from sinking during baking.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, mixed spice, and ground nutmeg.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the room temperature butter and muscovado sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently stir in the macerated fruit mix, chopped almonds, and the floured glace cherries.
- Pour the entire batter into your prepared cake pan, smoothing out the top evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the cake for 1 hour at 280°F (140°C).
- After the first hour, reduce the oven temperature to 240°F (120°C).
- Continue baking for an additional 2 to 2.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Immediately after removing the hot cake from the oven, poke several holes across the top using a skewer.
- Drizzle a little extra whiskey (or chosen liquid) over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to wrap it.
- Once cooled, wrap the cake tightly in parchment paper, then in aluminum foil, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. This christmas themed cake recipe truly improves with age.
Feeding the Christmas Cake
To achieve the best flavor and moisture for your christmas themed cake recipe, you need to “feed” it.
- Feed the cake every two weeks by poking new holes across the top.
- Drizzle a little whiskey or brandy (about 1-2 tablespoons) evenly over the cake.
- Rewrap the cake tightly after each feeding. This process moistens the cake, preserves it, and helps the flavors meld and deepen over time, making your christmas themed cake recipe even more delicious.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Ensure your christmas themed cake recipe turns out perfectly every time with these helpful hints.
- Toast nuts lightly before adding them to the batter for a richer, more enhanced nutty flavor.
- For a vegan option, use flax eggs (ground flaxseed and water) for binding and moisture.
- Substitute vegan butter and plant milk to make this a completely dairy-free christmas themed cake recipe.
- Experiment with other spirits like brandy, rum, or sherry for different flavor profiles.
- Decorate traditionally with royal icing and marzipan for a classic festive look.
- Avoid microwave baking as it dries out the cake and prevents complex flavor development.
- When using a fan oven, reduce the temperature by 25°F (10°C) from the recipe’s specified temperature.
- To prevent fruit sinking: coat heavier fruits like cherries in flour, cut larger fruits into smaller pieces, fold ingredients gently, or try layering fruit and batter in the pan.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
Make the most of your delightful christmas themed cake recipe with these suggestions.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve thin slices of your christmas themed cake recipe alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy treat.
- Pair it with a dollop of rich brandy butter or a warm pour of vanilla custard for an indulgent dessert.
- This festive cake is an ideal offering for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and special family meals.
Storage Instructions
- Ensure the cake cools completely before storage to prevent condensation.
- Wrap the cake tightly first in parchment paper, then in two layers of aluminum foil.
- Store the wrapped cake in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It can keep well for up to 6 months.
- If you live in a hot, humid climate, consider refrigerating the cake to prevent spoilage.
- Remember to re-feed your cake periodically with a little alcohol to keep it moist and enhance its flavor.
Variations
- Nut-Free: Substitute almonds with seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), shredded coconut, or even chocolate chips.
- Alcohol-Free: Use fruit juice (apple, orange, or cranberry) for soaking and feeding the cake. You can also use vanilla extract mixed with water.
- Different Fruits: Get creative! Experiment with dried apricots, dates, figs, cranberries, or even dried pineapple chunks.
- Spices: Adjust the spice blend to your preference. Add a pinch of ground cloves, ginger, or allspice for extra warmth.
- Smaller Pans: If using smaller cake pans, adjust the baking time accordingly. Bake for less time and monitor doneness with a skewer.
Nutrition Information
This christmas themed cake recipe is a rich and decadent holiday treat. It is calorie-dense, reflecting its generous amounts of dried fruits, nuts, butter, and sugar. The exact nutritional values will vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes. Consider using an online nutrition calculator with your exact ingredient list for precise figures. Dried fruits contribute fiber to the cake.
In moderation, dried fruits can offer various health benefits including improved gut health and antioxidant content.
However, be mindful that this delightful cake is typically high in both sugar and fat content, making it a special occasion indulgence.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450-550 |
| Total Fat | 20-30g |
| Saturated Fat | 10-15g |
| Carbohydrates | 60-70g |
| Sugars | 40-50g |
| Protein | 5-8g |
| Fiber | 3-5g |
Note: This table provides general approximate values. Actual nutrition will vary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is mixed spice?
Mixed spice is a traditional British blend of warming spices, often including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It is a key flavor in many classic baked goods, including this christmas themed cake recipe.
Is mixed spice the same as allspice?
No, they are different. Mixed spice is a blend of several individual spices, while allspice is a single spice derived from the dried berries of the pimenta tree, tasting like a combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Can I make this cake without alcohol?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the whiskey with apple juice, orange juice, or even strong black tea for soaking the fruits and for feeding the cake.
Why does this cake recipe not use a leavening agent like baking powder?
Traditional fruitcakes, like this one, are meant to be dense and rich, not light and airy. The absence of a chemical leavening agent contributes to its characteristic texture and long shelf life.
What kind of icing is best for this cake?
Royal icing is the classic and most traditional choice for a christmas themed cake recipe. It sets firm and creates a beautiful, snowy finish.
How do I decorate a Christmas cake?
After covering with royal icing, you can add festive touches like marzipan shapes, candied fruits, edible glitter, or small fondant figures to enhance its holiday appeal.
Is this the same as Christmas pudding?
No, a Christmas cake and Christmas pudding are distinct. While both are traditional, fruit-filled holiday desserts, Christmas cake is baked and often iced, while Christmas pudding is steamed and typically served with brandy butter or sauce.
How do I bake this in smaller pans?
If you use smaller cake pans, you will need to reduce the baking time significantly. Monitor the cakes carefully and use the skewer test for doneness, as smaller cakes bake faster.
Conclusion
Baking this christmas themed cake recipe is a truly delightful tradition that brings warmth and festive cheer into your home. This rich, spiced, and fruit-filled cake is more than just a dessert; it is a labor of love that rewards you with evolving, deeper flavors as it matures. Embrace the joy of creating something truly special for your loved ones this holiday season. We wish you joyful and delicious holiday baking with this wonderful christmas themed cake recipe!
