Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe: Don’t Miss This Festive Delight

The link between Christmas and cake is centuries old that evolved from earliest Roman celebratory loaves loaded with nuts & honey through medieval plum porridge to the mouth-watering fruitcakes of present era. The cakes incorporate rich ingredients such as dried fruits and spices as they are the symbols of prosperity.

The yet another connection between Christmas and cake was that cakes turned out to be party highlight of the 12^th night that took place from December 24 to January 5. Today, we will cover recipe of Christmas fruit cake as it has turned out to be festive favourite, packed with delicious dried fruits, aromatic spices, and stunningly rich flavour. The traditional cake tastes even far better with time thus making them ideal for the festival celebrations.

Ingredients Required

For soaking fruits (optional but recommended)

• 1 cup of mixed dried fruits (you may take, black currants, raisins, dates, cranberries, and cherries)

• ½ cup of orange juice or apple juice whichever you prefer

For Cake

• 1½ cup of all-purpose flour or maida

• 1 tablespoon of baking powder

• ½ tablespoon of baking soda

• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder

• ½ tablespoon of nutmeg powder

• ½ tablespoon of mixed spice or clove powder

•  ½ tablespoon of unsalted butter

• ¾ cup of brown sugar or powdered jaggery

• 2 eggs or ½ cup of curd in case you opt for eggless

• 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence

• ¼ cup of milk  

• ½ cup of nuts (walnuts, cashews, and almond) 

Method To Prepare

•  Soak the fruits 

• Soak dried fruits in juice for approximately 2-3 hours. It will make the cake moist and full of flavour

• Prepare tin and over

• Preheat the oven to 170°C. Loaf the tin with butter paper and do not forget to grease it

• Mix the dry ingredients

• Take a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, mixed spice, and nutmeg. Keep them aside

• Cream butter and sugar

• Take another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until they turn light and fluffy. Add the eggs (one at a time) and mix adequately. You may add curd if you are preparing eggless cake. Stir in vanilla essence.  

• Now mix everything.  

• Add the soaked fruits and chopped nuts to butter mixture. Mix lightly. Fold dry ingredients in batches and add milk whenever required to prepare smooth batter

• Bake the cake  

• Now pour the batter into the tin and level the top. You need to bake the cake for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean

• Let the cake cool properly prior to slicing. For effective flavour, wrap the cake in foil and rest it for few hours.  

Quick Tips for Ideal Christmas Cake

• Opt for brown sugar or jaggery for deep flavour

• Try not to overmix the batter

• Try brushing the cake with slight juice or syrup to make it extra moist.  

• Store the cake in an airtight container for approximately one week

The Christmas fruit cake is filled with rich aroma and offers the much-needed festive warmth. You may serve it with tea, coffee or even gift to your friends or family members to make the festival memorable and full of fun.