Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, and of course, delicious treats! One of the most cherished festive recipes is the Christmas Cake. This Easy Moist Fruit Cake is perfect for your holiday gatherings. Packed with flavorful fruits and spices, it brings warmth and cheer to any occasion. Whether it’s for dessert or a gift, this cake is sure to impress.
Why Make This Recipe
Making this Christmas Cake is not just about enjoying a sweet treat; it’s about creating memories. It’s a simple recipe that brings the family together in the kitchen. You can customize it based on your preferences and even add your favorite festive decorations. Plus, this cake is moist, rich, and full of flavor, making it the perfect holiday indulgence.
How to Make Christmas Cake
Ingredients:
- 300g / 10 oz raisins
- 150g / 5 oz diced dried apricots (chopped 8 mm / 1/3″)
- 75g / 2.5 oz mixed peel (diced 5mm / 1/5″)
- 150g / 5 oz glace cherries (chopped 8 mm / 1/3″)
- 180g / 6 oz dates (diced 5mm / 1/5″)
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp apple juice, OR 1/3 brandy + 2/3 juice
- 120g / 8 tbsp unsalted butter (softened, 1 US stick)
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or canola, peanut, grapeseed)
- 3 tbsp molasses or golden syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 2/3 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 3/4 cup walnuts (chopped, optional)
- 500ml / 1 pint pouring custard (homemade or store-bought)
- 250g / 8 oz “ready to roll” marzipan
- 250g / 8 oz “ready to roll” white fondant
- Cherries dusted with icing sugar
- Cherries or other fruit dusted with icing sugar (on plain cake, looks very pretty!)
- Drippy white glaze (directions below)
Directions:
Fast Soaked Fruit:
- In a bowl, combine the raisins, dried apricots, mixed peel, glace cherries, and dates.
- Pour in apple juice (or brandy and juice). Let the fruits soak for at least an hour or overnight for the best flavor.
Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) and grease a cake pan.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together.
- Add the vegetable oil, molasses, salt, spices, and eggs. Mix until combined.
- Stir in the soaked fruits and any leftover liquid.
- Gradually fold in the flour and baking powder, then mix in walnuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 1.5 hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Christmas Cake Decorating Options:
- Once the cake has cooled, cover it with marzipan.
- Roll out the fondant and drape it over the marzipan layer, smoothing it down.
- Decorate with cherries or fruits dusted with icing sugar and add a drippy white glaze for a festive look.
How to Serve Christmas Cake
Serve your Christmas Cake with a generous helping of pouring custard. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with the rich, fruity cake. You can also serve it on its own or with a scoop of ice cream for a delightful dessert.
How to Store Christmas Cake
This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just remember to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.
Tips to Make Christmas Cake
- For added flavor, soak the fruit longer than an hour, ideally overnight.
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
- If you don’t have walnuts, feel free to omit them or replace them with your favorite nuts.
Variation
You can customize the fruits in the cake. For example, add cranberries or figs for a different flavor. You can also use other nuts like pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.
FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh fruits instead of dried fruits?
A: It’s best to use dried fruits for this recipe as they add the right texture and sweetness. Fresh fruits contain too much moisture.
Q: Can I make this cake in advance?
A: Yes! This cake actually improves with time, so making it a few days or even weeks ahead is a great idea.
Q: What can I use instead of eggs to make it vegan?
A: You can use unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed mixture (1 tablespoon of flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) as an egg substitute.
Now you’re all set to make your perfect Easy Moist Fruit Christmas Cake! Enjoy the festive baking!
Easy Moist Fruit Cake
Ingredients
For the soaked fruit
- 300 g raisins
- 150 g diced dried apricots (chopped 8 mm)
- 75 g mixed peel (diced 5mm)
- 150 g glace cherries (chopped 8 mm)
- 180 g dates (diced 5mm)
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp apple juice or 1/3 brandy + 2/3 juice
For the cake
- 120 g unsalted butter (softened, 1 US stick)
- 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or canola, peanut, grapeseed)
- 3 tbsp molasses or golden syrup
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp all spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ⅔ cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- ¾ cup walnuts (chopped, optional) Optional ingredient
For serving
- 500 ml pouring custard (homemade or store-bought)
- 250 g “ready to roll” marzipan
- 250 g “ready to roll” white fondant
- Cherries dusted with icing sugar
- Drippy white glaze Refer to separate directions for glaze
Instructions
Fast Soaked Fruit
- In a bowl, combine the raisins, dried apricots, mixed peel, glace cherries, and dates.
- Pour in apple juice (or brandy and juice). Let the fruits soak for at least an hour or overnight for the best flavor.
Cake Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) and grease a cake pan.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together.
- Add the vegetable oil, molasses, salt, spices, and eggs. Mix until combined.
- Stir in the soaked fruits and any leftover liquid.
- Gradually fold in the flour and baking powder, then mix in walnuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 1.5 hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Christmas Cake Decorating Options
- Once the cake has cooled, cover it with marzipan.
- Roll out the fondant and drape it over the marzipan layer, smoothing it down.
- Decorate with cherries or fruits dusted with icing sugar and add a drippy white glaze for a festive look.
