Welcome to our delightful Christmas cake recipe, where we share the best recipe for a festive treat that will bring warmth and happiness to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this Christmas cake recipe is perfect for creating a delicious masterpiece that captures the essence of the season.
The British Fruit Cake is a beloved tradition during the Christmas season. However, we understand that not everyone has the time or the desire to devote weeks to lacing the cake with alcohol and covering it in marzipan and royal icing. That’s where our Easy Fruit Cake comes in. It’s a simpler version of the traditional cake, but still packed with all the flavors and textures that make it an irresistible treat.
Our Easy Fruit Cake, also known as a Boiled Fruit Cake or Bachelor’s Cake, is alcohol-free and can be made quickly, making it perfect for last-minute bakers. It uses a combination of dried and candied fruits, spices, and other essential ingredients to create a wonderfully moist and delicious cake. The best part is that you can enjoy it almost right away!
So, whether you’re looking for a quick and easy fruit cake or a traditional recipe that requires time to mature, we have you covered. In the next sections, we will provide you with the step-by-step instructions for our Easy Fruit Cake recipe, as well as a more traditional fruit cake recipe from the renowned Mary Berry. We’ll also introduce you to Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake, a recipe that has stood the test of time.
Get your mixing bowls ready, gather the finest ingredients, and let’s embark on a baking adventure that will fill your home with the comforting aroma of Christmas. Let’s dive into the world of Christmas cakes and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Easy Fruit Cake Recipe
To make the Easy Fruit Cake, start by boiling a mixture of sugar, water, butter, spices, and dried fruit. Let this mixture cool to lukewarm, and then add lightly beaten eggs, flour, baking soda, vanilla extract (optional), and candied peel. Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake for about 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. For the best flavor, it is recommended to store the cake for a day or two before serving, although it can be enjoyed right away. This fruit cake can also be frozen for later enjoyment.
Traditional Fruit Cake Recipe
For a more traditional fruit cake, you can try Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake recipe. It requires ingredients like unsalted butter, brown sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, ground almonds, dried and candied fruits, chopped nuts (optional), and various spices.
The recipe involves creaming the butter and sugar, beating in the eggs, and then folding in the dry ingredients and fruits. The batter is then baked in a cake tin for about 2 hours.
After cooling, the cake is brushed with alcohol (brandy, Grand Marnier, sherry, rum, or whiskey) and stored for several weeks, periodically brushing with more alcohol. This traditional fruit cake can be enjoyed for weeks or even frozen for later.
Enjoy the traditional flavors of Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake recipe. Let the rich combination of fruits, spices, and moist cake tantalize your taste buds and evoke the nostalgic spirit of the holiday season.
Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake Recipe
Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake is a renowned recipe that has been passed down through generations. This festive treat captures the essence of Christmas with its magical flavors and burstiness. Gather your ingredients and prepare to embark on a baking adventure that will fill your home with the comforting aroma of Christmas.
Indulge in the decadence of Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake, which features a delightful combination of unsalted butter, brown sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, brandy or rum, mixed dried fruits, and optional chopped nuts. This recipe reflects the traditional British indulgence of rich, moist fruitcake.
“Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake is the epitome of festive indulgence. With every bite, you’ll experience the enchanting blend of warm spices, delicate fruitiness, and the lingering essence of brandy or rum.”
To create Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake, begin by creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are well incorporated. Next, fold in the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice. Add the mixed dried fruits and optional chopped nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Pour the batter into a cake tin and bake in a preheated oven for 1.5-2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Once the cake is baked to perfection, allow it to cool in the tin before transferring it to a wire rack.
Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake Recipe
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 225g |
| Brown sugar | 225g |
| Eggs | 4 |
| All-purpose flour | 225g |
| Baking powder | 1.5 tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/2 tsp |
| Ground allspice | 1/2 tsp |
| Brandy or rum | 4 tbsp |
| Mixed dried fruits | 450g |
| Chopped nuts (optional) | 100g |
Once completely cooled, the cake is ready to be enjoyed. Serve it as a centerpiece for your festive table or gift it to loved ones. Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake is a delightful indulgence that brings warmth and joy to every celebration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, baking a Christmas cake is a delightful tradition that brings joy to the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for the easiest Christmas cake recipe or a more traditional option, there is a perfect recipe for everyone.
The Easy Fruit Cake recipe offers a quick and simple way to create a delicious cake without the need for alcohol or extensive preparation. Perfect for last-minute baking, this cake still features all the classic fruit cake ingredients, resulting in a moist and flavorful treat.
For those seeking a more traditional approach, Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake recipe is a tried and true favorite. With a carefully selected blend of ingredients, including rich butter, dried fruits, and aromatic spices, this cake captures the essence of the season. Prepare it in advance, soak it with alcohol, and let it mature for a truly indulgent experience.
If you’re a fan of legacy recipes, Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake is sure to impress. Passed down through generations, this recipe combines the warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with a blend of dried fruits and optional nuts. The result is a cake that encapsulates the magical flavors of the holiday season, like the banana cake.
So, whether you choose simplicity or tradition, embark on a baking adventure this Christmas and create a cake that will fill your home with the comforting aroma of the season. May your cake bring love, warmth, and happiness to your holiday gathering.
FAQ
What is the difference between a traditional fruit cake and an easy fruit cake?
An easy fruit cake is a simplified version of a traditional fruit cake, often known as a Boiled Fruit Cake or Bachelor’s Cake. It does not contain alcohol and can be made quickly, making it perfect for last-minute bakers. On the other hand, a traditional fruit cake is full of dried fruits and nuts, laced with alcohol over several weeks, and often covered with marzipan and royal icing.
Can the easy fruit cake be eaten right away?
Yes, the easy fruit cake can be eaten almost right away. However, for the best flavor, it is recommended to store the cake for a day or two before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and the cake to become even more delicious.
How long does the traditional fruit cake need to be stored before serving?
The traditional fruit cake is typically brushed with alcohol (brandy, Grand Marnier, sherry, rum, or whiskey) after baking and then stored for several weeks. During this time, the cake is periodically brushed with more alcohol, allowing the flavors to deepen and the cake to become moist and rich. However, it can also be enjoyed right after baking or frozen for later enjoyment.
What is the difference between Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake recipe and Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake recipe?
Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake recipe is a traditional fruit cake that involves creaming the butter and sugar, beating in the eggs, folding in the dry ingredients and fruits, and baking for about 2 hours. After baking, the cake is brushed with alcohol and stored for several weeks. On the other hand, Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake recipe involves creaming the butter and sugar, beating in the eggs, folding in the dry ingredients, and adding the spirits and fruits. The cake is then baked for 1.5-2 hours, cooled, and transferred to a wire rack.
