Description
A rich, moist, and decadent Christmas Cake filled with plump dried fruit, warm spices, and a touch of brandy or juice. This festive dessert is easy to make, full of nostalgic flavor, and stays moist for weeks.
Ingredients
300g raisins
150g dried apricots, chopped
75g mixed peel, finely chopped
150g glacé cherries, chopped
180g dates, diced
1 cup + 2 tbsp apple juice or 1/3 cup brandy + 2/3 cup juice
120g unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tbsp molasses or golden syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
500ml pouring custard (optional, for serving)
Optional decorations: 250g marzipan, 250g white fondant, cherries, icing sugar, white glaze
Instructions
1. Place chopped dried fruit and juice/brandy in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1.5 minutes until hot. Stir, cover, and let soak for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F), or 140°C (fan). Grease and line an 8–9 inch round cake pan.
3. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in oil and molasses.
4. Add salt, spices, and baking powder. Mix in eggs one at a time.
5. Stir in flour, then soaked fruit with all liquid and walnuts if using.
6. Pour into pan, cover with foil, and bake for 2.5 hours. Remove foil and bake another 30–45 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
7. Cool 20 minutes in pan, then on rack. Serve once fully cooled.
Notes
Fruit must total 855g and be finely chopped. Use any dried fruit combination.
Pre-chopped mixed fruit is acceptable, though hand-chopped yields a moister cake.
Mixed peel refers to crystallized lemon and orange peel; do not substitute with fresh peel.
Apple juice is preferred for neutral flavor, but orange juice adds citrus.
Molasses or golden syrup both work for richness.
Decorations are optional; cake is flavorful enough to serve plain.
Cake pairs well with custard; add vanilla bean paste to store-bought for extra flavor.
For best texture, allow to cool completely before slicing.
Cut into thin wedges or narrow strips for serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (includes soaking)
- Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/25 of cake)
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 37g
- Sodium: 127mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 38mg