Christmas cake is a fruit cake traditionally served as a dessert at Christmas time in many countries. A Christmas cake has a rich, heavy texture and is often filled with fruits and nuts. It is a very popular cake to make during the Christmas season.
A Slice of Heaven: Why Christmas Cake Is the Best
Christmas cake is one of my all-time favorite desserts! It’s so moist and flavorful, and the icing is just perfect. I love how the cake is decorated with festive Christmas decorations, and I always look forward to eating a slice (or two!) of this delicious treat.
Delicious and Creative Christmas Cakes
- One variation you could try is a chocolate Christmas cake. To make a chocolate Christmas cake, simply replace the butter in your recipe with an equal amount of melted chocolate. You could also add chocolate chips or chunks to your cake for an extra chocolatey treat.
- Another variation is to add dried fruit to your cake. This is a traditional addition to many Christmas cakes and can add a nice bit of sweetness and flavor. Simply soak your dried fruit in some rum or brandy overnight, then add it to your cake batter before baking.
- If you want a lighter cake, you could try a sponge cake. Sponge cakes are made with eggs and no butter, so they are much lighter in calories. You could make a traditional sponge cake and top it with fruit and whipped cream, or get creative and try a flavor combination like chocolate and orange.
- Finally, if you are looking for a show-stopping cake, you could try a naked cake. Naked cakes are simply cakes that are not frosted. They are often decorated with fresh fruit, flowers, or other festive decorations. If you make a naked cake, be sure to use a cake stand or plate that will show off your cake to its best advantage.
What is the traditional Christmas cake called?
There are many different types of traditional Christmas cakes, but the most popular one is called fruitcake. Fruitcake is a cake that is made with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It is often soaked in alcohol, which gives it a rich flavor. Fruitcake is typically served at Christmas time, but it can also be enjoyed throughout the year.
What’s the difference between fruit cake and Christmas cake?
Fruit cake and Christmas cake are both rich, dense cakes that are packed with fruit and nuts. The main difference between the two is that fruit cake is made with dried fruit, while Christmas cake is made with fresh fruit. Christmas cake is also typically made with a higher proportion of alcohol, which gives it a more intense flavor.
Why Christmas cake is called plum cake?
There are many theories as to why Christmas cake is called plum cake. One theory is that plum cake originated in England, where plum pudding was a popular holiday dish. Another theory is that the name plum cake comes from the fact that the cake is often made with dried fruit, which was once called plum. Whatever the origin of the name, plum cake is a delicious holiday treat!
What cake do you eat at Christmas?
Christmas is a time for indulgence, and what better way to indulge than with a delicious cake? There are so many festive cakes to choose from, but our personal favorite is the classic fruit cake. Rich, moist and packed full of fruit and spices, it’s the perfect Christmas treat. Serve it with a dollop of brandy butter or cream cheese frosting for an extra special treat.
Make your Christmas special with a homemade cake
Course: Cake, DessertsCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy8
servings30
minutes2
hours20
minutes698
kcalIngredients
1kg dried fruit mix (use a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, cranberries, prunes or figs)
juice and zest one orange
juice and zest 1 lemon
150ml brandy, Sherry, whisky, or rum, plus a little more for feeding
250g softened pack butter
200g soft brown sugar, light
175g unbleached flour
25g cocoa powder
100g almond meal
12 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons mixed spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
14 teaspoon ground cloves
100g almond flake
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine 1kg mixed dried fruit, the zest and juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon, 150ml brandy or other alcohol, 250g softened butter, and 200g light, soft brown sugar.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Place the fruit mixture in a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 150°C/130°C fan/gas mark 3. 2. Line a deep 20cm cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, then wrap with a double layer of newspaper and secure with string.
- To the fruit mixture, add 175g plain flour, 25g of cocoa power, 100g ground almonds, 12 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 14 tsp ground cloves, 100g flaked almonds, 4 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract and stir well.
- Pour into the prepared tin, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake for 2 hours in the center of the oven.
- Remove the cake from the oven, poke holes in it with a skewer, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of your preferred alcohol. Allow the cake to cool completely in its pan.
- To store, remove the baking parchment and wrap tightly in cling film. Feed the cake 1-2 tbsp alcohol every two weeks until it is iced.
- Do not feed the cake for the next week to allow the surface to dry before icing.
