Festive Christmas Cake

Tammy Smith

This classic British-style Christmas cake is packed with dried fruits, warm spices, and a generous soak of spirits that deepen the flavor over time. It bakes low and slow for a moist, dense crumb and keeps well for weeks when wrapped properly. Allow a few hours of baking and cooling, plus extra time if you choose to feed the cake ahead of the holidays.

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Prep Time 40

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 40

Course Dessert

Cuisine British

Servings slices

Calories 567 kcal

Equipment

Large Mixing Bowl
Electric Mixer
Spatula
9-inch cake pan
Parchment Paper
Oven

Ingredients

Fruit Mixture

1 cup dried currants organic, if possible
1 cup raisins golden, for a deeper flavor
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup brandy or rum

Cake Batter

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar packed
4 eggs organic, if preferred
2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon cinnamon ground
¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated, for best flavor
¼ teaspoon cloves ground

Topping

½ cup marzipan optional, for decoration

Instructions

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine the currants, raisins, and cranberries with the brandy. Cover and let them soak overnight or at least for several hours.

Make the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.

Combine and Bake

Drain any excess brandy from the fruit mixture and fold the fruits into the cake batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for about 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing.

Decorate

If desired, roll out the marzipan and use it to decorate the top of the cake, adding a festive touch.

Notes

For a more intense flavor, allow the cake to mature wrapped in baking paper and foil, feeding it weekly with a little extra brandy.

Nutrition

Calories: 567kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 7gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 91mgPotassium: 355mgFiber: 3gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 675IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Cake, Christmas, Holiday

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