Christmas Fruit Cake
Enjoy a rich and delicious Christmas Fruit Cake made with mixed dried fruits, dates, candied cherries, almonds, and warm festive spices. This traditional holiday cake is soft, moist, and packed with fruity flavors, making it a perfect dessert for Christmas celebrations, family gatherings, and festive occasions.
Ingredients
For The Fruit Mixture
- - 2 cups mixed dried fruits raisins, sultanas, currants
- - ½ cup chopped dates
- - ½ cup mixed candied peel
- - ½ cup chopped glace cherries
- - ½ cup chopped almonds
- - ½ cup orange juice
- - ¼ cup apple juice
- - 1 tablespoon orange zest
For The Cake Batter
- - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- - ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- - ¾ cup brown sugar
- - 3 large eggs
- - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- - 1 teaspoon baking powder
- - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- - ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- - ¼ teaspoon salt
- - 2 tablespoons milk
For Decoration (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam
- ¼ cup chopped almonds
- A little powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dried Fruits: In a large bowl, combine raisins, sultanas, currants, dates, candied peel, glace cherries, orange juice, apple juice, and orange zest. Mix well and let the fruits soak for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Grease a 20 cm (8-inch) round cake pan and line the bottom and sides with baking parchment.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the Batter: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Add the milk and mix until just combined.
- Add the Fruit Mixture: Drain any excess liquid from the soaked fruits if necessary. Gently fold the soaked fruits and chopped almonds into the cake batter until evenly distributed.
- Fill the Cake Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for approximately 2–2½ hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate the Cake: Brush the top with slightly warmed apricot jam and sprinkle with chopped almonds or powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve: Slice the Christmas Fruit Cake and serve with tea, coffee, or your favorite festive drink. Enjoy this rich and fruity Christmas treat with family and friends! 🎄