Cooking At Home

Traditional Christmas Cake 🎄🍰

This rich and fruity Christmas Cake is a holiday classic, packed with dried fruits, spices, and a touch of brandy. It’s a wonderfully moist, flavorful dessert that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed throughout the festive season.

Ingredients:
For the Cake:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup mixed candied peel
1 cup glace cherries, halved
¼ cup chopped almonds (optional)
Zest of 1 orange
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ cup brandy (plus extra for brushing)
For Decorating:
Marzipan or fondant icing (optional)
Royal icing (optional)
Edible decorations (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Heat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake tin with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter:
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add Eggs and Zest:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the orange and lemon zest.

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

Combine Wet and Dry:
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until fully combined.

3. Add Fruits and Nuts:
Mix Fruits and Brandy:
Stir in the mixed dried fruits, cranberries, candied peel, glace cherries, and chopped almonds (if using). Add the brandy and mix everything together well.

4. Bake the Cake:
Bake:
Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil during the last hour of baking.

5. Cool and Store:
Cool and Brandy-Soak:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the tin. Once cooled, brush the top with a little extra brandy. Wrap the cake in parchment paper and foil, then store in an airtight container.

6. Optional Decoration:
Decorate:
If desired, cover the cake with a layer of marzipan or fondant icing, followed by royal icing. Decorate with festive edible decorations like holly leaves, silver balls, or snowflakes.

Details:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 ½ - 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12-16 slices

Tips:
You can make this cake up to a month in advance. Brush it with brandy every week to keep it moist and flavorful.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or custard for an extra indulgent treat.