If you’re looking for a simple, yet delicious Christmas cake, here’s a recipe that’s easy to make, but still packed with festive flavor! This cake combines the richness of fruit with a little bit of spice, and it’s perfect for those who want to enjoy a traditional Christmas cake without too much fuss.
Easy Christmas Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (250g) mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants, etc.)
- 1/2 cup (125g) chopped dried cranberries (optional)
- 1/2 cup (125g) chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) orange juice or apple juice
- 1/2 cup (120ml) brandy or rum (optional, but adds great flavor)
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- Zest of 1 orange
- Pinch of salt
Optional for decoration:
- Marzipan
- Icing (royal icing or fondant)
- Candied fruit or nuts for decoration
Instructions:
1. Prep the Fruit & Soak:
- In a bowl, combine the dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, and any other dried fruit of your choice) with the orange juice (or apple juice) and brandy (or rum, if using). Let this soak for at least 30 minutes, but ideally, for a few hours or overnight. This helps to soften the fruit and infuse it with flavor.
2. Preheat & Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake tin with baking paper. You can also use a springform pan for easier removal later.
- If you want to prevent the cake from browning too quickly, you can wrap the sides of the pan with two layers of baking paper or foil.
3. Mix the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. You can do this with a hand mixer or by hand with a whisk.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger), and salt. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
4. Fold in the Fruit and Nuts:
- Gently fold the soaked dried fruit and any liquid into the batter, followed by the chopped nuts. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
5. Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top is getting too brown before the center is fully cooked, cover the cake with foil and continue baking until done.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Optional: Decorate:
- If you want to decorate your cake like a traditional Christmas cake, you can roll out marzipan and cover the top of the cake. Then, add a layer of icing (either royal icing or fondant) and decorate with candied fruits, nuts, or edible glitter for a festive touch.
Tips:
- Make Ahead: This cake actually tastes even better after a day or two, as the flavors continue to meld. It’s a great cake to make ahead of time and store in an airtight container.
- Alcohol-Free Version: You can skip the brandy or rum if you prefer an alcohol-free cake. Simply replace it with additional fruit juice.
- Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze it for longer storage.
This easy Christmas cake is deliciously spiced and rich in dried fruit, but without the heavy prep or long baking time of more traditional recipes. It’s the perfect dessert to enjoy over the holidays!
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