Christmas is just around the corner and it's time to start planning for the most important part of the holiday season - the Christmas cake! As a professional baker, I understand the importance of starting early and preparing ahead of time to ensure a delicious and stunning cake for the festivities. In this article, I will be sharing my tried and tested Christmas cake recipe that can be made 2 weeks before Christmas, allowing enough time for the cake to mature and develop its rich and fruity flavors. So let's get started on creating the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas table!
If you're tired of the same old turkey or ham for your Christmas dinner, why not switch things up this year with a delicious beer can chicken? This dish is sure to impress your guests with its unique presentation and mouth-watering flavors. Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover beer from your holiday parties. Here are 20 of the best beer can chicken recipes to try this Christmas!
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Cranberry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Flour, Fresh Cranberries
Add a festive touch to your beer can chicken with this cranberry Christmas cake recipe. The tartness of the cranberries pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the chicken and adds a pop of color to your holiday meal. You can also use cranberry juice or beer to create a marinade for the chicken, giving it an extra burst of flavor.
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, All Purpose
Take your Christmas dinner to the next level with this ultimate Yule log beer can chicken recipe. The chicken is slow-roasted on a bed of herbs and vegetables, infusing it with delicious flavors. And the best part? The beer can serves as the "log," making for a unique and festive presentation on your dinner table.
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Simple Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, All Purpose Flour
If you're short on time but still want to impress your guests with a delicious beer can chicken, this simple recipe is perfect for you. All you need is a can of beer, some herbs and spices, and a whole chicken. The beer helps to keep the chicken moist and adds a subtle flavor, while the herbs and spices create a delicious crust on the outside.
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Moist Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Fruit, Vanilla Extract, Malt Syrup, Sherry, Glucose
One of the biggest challenges when cooking a whole chicken is keeping it moist. But with this beer can chicken recipe, you won't have to worry about dry meat. The beer helps to create a moist cooking environment, resulting in a tender and juicy chicken. Serve it with some cranberry sauce for a classic Christmas flavor combination.
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Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake (Italian Christmas Cake)
Main Ingredients: Cake, Mascarpone, Vin Santo, Powdered Sugar
For a touch of Italian flair at your Christmas dinner, try this Pandoro Christmas tree beer can chicken recipe. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of Italian herbs, olive oil, and lemon juice, giving it a delicious Mediterranean flavor. And the best part? The chicken is cooked upright, making it look like a Christmas tree on your dinner table.
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Fruit Cake - Plum Cake - Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt
If you're a fan of fruit cake, you'll love this beer can chicken recipe. The chicken is stuffed with a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, creating a delicious and festive stuffing. The beer helps to infuse the chicken with these flavors, resulting in a unique and flavorful dish that will be a hit at your holiday dinner.
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Cranberry & Lime Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Lime, Flour, Fresh
Add a zesty kick to your beer can chicken with this cranberry and lime recipe. The tangy lime pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries, creating a delicious marinade for the chicken. And the best part? The chicken is roasted on a bed of limes, infusing it with even more citrusy flavors.
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Pistachio Cherry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: White Or Yellow Cake Mix, Water, Pudding Mix
This beer can chicken recipe is a unique twist on the classic holiday flavors of pistachio and cherry. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of pistachio pesto and cherry juice, creating a delicious and unexpected flavor combination. Plus, the bright green color of the pistachios adds a festive touch to your Christmas dinner.
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Fruit Cake | Christmas Cake | Plum Cake
Main Ingredients: Oil, Eggs, Spice, Baking Powder, Vanilla Essence, Lemon
If you can't decide between fruit cake, Christmas cake, or plum cake for your holiday dinner, why not combine them all in this beer can chicken recipe? The chicken is stuffed with a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, creating a delicious and festive stuffing that will remind you of all your favorite holiday desserts.
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Cranberry Almond Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Large Eggs, Unsalted Butter, Almond
This recipe takes the classic cranberry and almond flavor combination and turns it into a delicious marinade for your beer can chicken. The chicken is roasted on a bed of almonds, infusing it with a nutty flavor, while the cranberry juice and zest add a tangy kick. Serve with some roasted Brussels sprouts for a complete holiday meal.
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Plum Cake, Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Brown Sugar, Melted Butter, Maida, Baking Powder
This beer can chicken recipe is inspired by the traditional Italian plum cake, also known as panettone. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of honey, orange juice, and spices, creating a sweet and tangy glaze. And the best part? The chicken is cooked upright, just like a panettone, making for a unique and festive presentation on your dinner table.
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Easy Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Butter, Firmly Packed Brown Sugar, Eggs, Orange
If you're short on time but still want to impress your guests with a delicious beer can chicken, this easy recipe is perfect for you. All you need is a can of beer, some herbs and spices, and a whole chicken. The beer helps to keep the chicken moist and adds a subtle flavor, while the herbs and spices create a delicious crust on the outside.
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Classic Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Sultanas, Dried Apricots, Dried Figs, Wine
This beer can chicken recipe is a classic for a reason. The chicken is marinated in a simple mixture of herbs, spices, and olive oil, creating a delicious and savory flavor. Serve it with some roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes for a complete holiday meal that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table.
Who says cookies are just for dessert? This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from classic Christmas sugar cookies and turns it into a delicious marinade for the chicken. The sugar helps to create a crispy and flavorful crust on the outside, while the chicken stays moist and tender on the inside.
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Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
Main Ingredients: Egg Whites, Cream Of Tartar, Sugar, Peppermint Extract
This unique beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from the classic Christmas peppermint flavor. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of peppermint extract, honey, and spices, creating a sweet and savory flavor that will remind you of your favorite holiday treats. Serve it with some roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
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Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Main Ingredients: Finely Grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese, Pizza Dough
If you're looking for a fun and festive appetizer for your holiday dinner, look no further than this beer can chicken recipe. The chicken is cooked upright, giving it the appearance of a Christmas tree. And the best part? The chicken is surrounded by a delicious pull-apart pizza bread, making it easy for your guests to enjoy.
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Healthy Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Mixed Dried Fruit, Ground Cinnamon, Extract, Nutmeg
If you're trying to stick to a healthy diet during the holiday season, this beer can chicken recipe is perfect for you. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs, creating a delicious and healthy dish. Serve it with some roasted vegetables and quinoa for a complete and nutritious meal.
This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese Christmas cake, also known as Kurisumasu keki. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and ginger, creating a unique and delicious flavor. And the best part? The chicken is cooked upright, just like a Japanese Christmas cake, making for a festive and tasty presentation on your dinner table.
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Cucidati Italian Christmas Fig Cookies
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, Vanilla Extract
This beer can chicken recipe is inspired by the classic Italian Christmas fig cookies, known as cucidati. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of figs, dates, and Italian herbs, creating a sweet and savory flavor. And the best part? The chicken is cooked upright, just like a cucidati cookie, making for a unique and festive presentation on your dinner table.
Why make the Christmas cake 2 weeks before Christmas?
The importance of maturing the Christmas cake
It may seem like a long time to make the Christmas cake 2 weeks before the big day, but trust me, it's worth the wait! The key to a delicious Christmas cake is allowing it to mature and develop its flavors. This is achieved by regularly feeding the cake with alcohol, which not only enhances the taste but also helps to preserve the cake. By starting 2 weeks before Christmas, you give the cake enough time to soak up the alcohol and develop its rich and moist texture.
The convenience of making the Christmas cake in advance
Aside from the flavor benefits, making the Christmas cake 2 weeks before Christmas also saves you time and stress during the busy holiday season. We all know how hectic things can get in the days leading up to Christmas, and having one less thing to worry about can make a huge difference. Plus, by making the cake in advance, you can focus on other holiday preparations and spend more quality time with your loved ones.
The perfect Christmas cake recipe
Now, let's get to the main event - the Christmas cake recipe! This recipe is a family favorite and has been passed down for generations. It's a traditional fruit cake that is rich, moist, and packed with all the classic holiday flavors.
Ingredients:
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped apricots
1 cup chopped figs
1 cup candied cherries
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup brandy (plus extra for feeding)
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together the dried fruits and chopped almonds. Pour in the brandy and give it a good stir. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for at least 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
Fold in the soaked fruits and almonds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.
Bake the cake for 2-3 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan.
Using a skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cake. Pour a few tablespoons of brandy over the cake, letting it soak in. Repeat this process every 2-3 days until Christmas.
Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Final thoughts
Making the Christmas cake 2 weeks before Christmas may seem like a lot of effort, but trust me, it's worth it. Not only does it allow the flavors to develop, but it also saves you time and stress during the busy holiday season. So why not give this recipe a try and impress your loved ones with a delicious and perfectly matured Christmas cake this year? Happy baking and happy holidays!
