Easy Christmas Cake

Fruity Christmas Cake

I finally got around to making my Christmas Cake last weekend. I was beginning to panic a  bit as I've never left it this late before. Instead of the usual pre-soaking of the fruits in alcohol, I decided to simmer the fruits in Cherry Brandy for 10 minutes, which meant I could get the whole cake made and baked in a couple of hours.

The cake is now safely wrapped in a double layer of baking paper and a layer of foil, ready for its weekly feedings of cherry brandy - it's going to be a boozy one! In terms of the decoration, this year I am opting out of icing and instead going to go for a simple apricot glaze (warmed apricot jam brushed onto the cake) with brazil nuts and candied fruits on top.

EASY CHRISTMAS CAKE


Christmas, Cake
Yield: 10 slicesPin it

Easy Christmas Cake

An easy Christmas Cake recipe
prep time: 20 minscook time: 1 hour and 45 minstotal time: 1 hours and 65 mins

ingredients:

  • 500g dried fruit mix including raisins, currants and mixed peel
  • 100g Glace Cherries, chopped
  • 100g Apricots, chopped
  • 100g Dates, chopped
  • Zest of 2 Oranges and juice of 1
  • 175g Butter
  • 200g Dark Brown Sugar
  • 100ml Brandy - I used Cherry, plus 4 TBSP
  • 3 large Eggs, beaten
  • 85g ground Almonds
  • 200g plain Flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 TSP Mixed Spice
  • 1 TSP Cinnamon

instructions

Step 1: Double line a 20cm deep cake tin with baking paper.
Step 2: Put the fruits, zest, juice, butter, sugar and brandy in a saucepan and bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and continue to stir for 10 minutes. Leave to cool
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 150c/130c Fan/Gas 2. When the boozy fruit mixture is cooled, stir in the eggs and almonds then sift in the flour, baking powder and spices.
Step 4: Spoon into prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake for 45 minutes then turn down the heat to 140c/gas 1 and continue to bake for 1 hour. Test with skewer.
Step 5: When completely cool, remove from tin and wrap as instructed in the introduction.



WHY NOT TRY MY WHISKY AND WALNUT CAKE?

6 comments

  1. Never too late for Christmas cake, especially if it looks like this!

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  2. My favorite local baker was making Christmas cake this year & I planned on getting one to store & serve at teh holidays but we got snowed in & I didn't get any so perhaps I have time to make one....

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  3. I have a bottle of cherry brandy at the back of the cupboard somewhere ... must fish it out!!!

    Cake looks wonderful.

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  4. i love christmas cakes..they put you in a nice festive mood.

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  5. Is it too late to make a Christmas cake next week??

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  6. What an intersting recipe - bet it will be delicious. Think your decoration will be beautiful. I always rather fancy decorating my cake that way but I'm rather to fond of marzipan to forgo the traditional icing!

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