20+ Delia Smith Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe You Must Try Them!
Published on: Apr 18, 2024
For many families, the holiday season is not complete without a traditional Christmas cake. And when it comes to Christmas cakes, no one does it better than the legendary Delia Smith. Her traditional Christmas cake recipe has stood the test of time and has become a staple in many households. But what makes this recipe so special? Let's take a closer look at the ingredients and process to find out.
Christmas is a time for indulging in delicious treats, and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a classic Christmas cake? This rich and flavorful cake has been a staple in many households for generations, and for good reason. It's the perfect dessert to share with family and friends, and it's guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
In the UK, a traditional Christmas cake is a must-have for the holiday season. Made with dried fruit, spices, and a generous amount of brandy, this cake is a symbol of the festive season. It's usually decorated with marzipan and royal icing, and it's often topped with a festive design or a miniature Christmas scene.
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Traditional Irish Christmas Cake Ingredients
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Stoned Dates, Sultanas, Glace Cherries, Irish
Irish Christmas cake, also known as fruitcake, is a beloved holiday dessert in Ireland. The ingredients may vary slightly from family to family, but the key components usually include dried fruit, nuts, spices, treacle, and whiskey. The result is a rich and moist cake that is perfect for celebrating the season.
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Rosemarie's Traditional Christmas Cake (Boiled)
Main Ingredients: Mixed Dried Fruit, Brown Sugar, Brandy, Water, Crushed
If you're looking for a unique twist on the traditional Christmas cake, try Rosemarie's boiled Christmas cake recipe. This method involves boiling the ingredients before baking, which creates a rich and flavorful cake with a dense texture. It's a popular recipe among German families and is sure to impress your guests.
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Cranberry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Flour, Fresh Cranberries
If you're a fan of cranberries, this Christmas cake recipe is a must-try. The tart and tangy flavor of cranberries pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cake, creating a delicious balance of flavors. Plus, the vibrant red color adds a festive touch to your holiday table.
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Traditional Christmas Cake With A Twist
Main Ingredients: Sweetened Shredded Coconut, Papayas, Mangoes, Candied
For those who love the traditional Christmas cake but want to switch things up a bit, try this recipe with a twist. It includes a layer of rich chocolate ganache in the middle, adding a decadent surprise to each slice. It's a perfect combination of the classic and the modern.
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Traditional Christmas Cake (Eggless and Vegan Options)
Main Ingredients: Sultanas, Prunes, Dried Apricots, Dates, Dried Figs
For those with dietary restrictions, this eggless and vegan Christmas cake is a great alternative. It's made with healthier ingredients, such as whole wheat flour and coconut oil, but still maintains the rich and moist texture of a traditional Christmas cake. It's a guilt-free indulgence that everyone can enjoy.
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, All Purpose
The Yule log, or Bûche de Noël, is a classic French Christmas dessert. This cake is shaped like a log and is decorated to resemble a real log, complete with meringue mushrooms and holly leaves. It's a showstopper dessert that will impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your holiday spread.
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Simple Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, All Purpose Flour
If you're short on time or just prefer a simpler approach, this Christmas cake recipe is for you. It's made with only a few ingredients, but it still packs a punch of flavor. The secret is in the spices, which give the cake a warm and cozy taste that is perfect for the holiday season.
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Moist Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Fruit, Vanilla Extract, Malt Syrup, Sherry, Glucose
There's nothing worse than a dry and crumbly Christmas cake. This recipe guarantees a moist and flavorful cake every time. The key is in soaking the dried fruit in brandy overnight and adding a generous amount of butter. The result is a rich and indulgent cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake (Italian Christmas Cake)
Main Ingredients: Cake, Mascarpone, Vin Santo, Powdered Sugar
If you're looking for a unique and impressive Christmas cake, try making this Pandoro Christmas tree cake. Pandoro is a traditional Italian Christmas bread, and when stacked and decorated with a chocolate ganache, it resembles a beautiful Christmas tree. It's a fun and festive dessert that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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Fruit Cake - Plum Cake - Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt
In many parts of the world, fruit cake and plum cake are used interchangeably to refer to a Christmas cake. This recipe combines both names to create a delicious and traditional Christmas cake. It's loaded with dried fruit and nuts, and the addition of plums adds a burst of flavor to every bite.
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Traditional Christmas Plum Cake / Fruit Cake
Main Ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Brown Sugar, White Sugar
This recipe is a classic and straightforward version of the traditional Christmas plum cake. It calls for a variety of dried fruit and nuts, as well as eggs and butter, to create a dense and moist cake. It's the perfect dessert to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee on a cold winter day.
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Cranberry & Lime Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Lime, Flour, Fresh
This Christmas cake recipe is a refreshing twist on the traditional version. The tangy flavor of lime complements the sweetness of the cranberries perfectly, creating a delicious and unique cake. The bright green and red colors also add a festive touch to your holiday table.
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Pistachio Cherry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: White Or Yellow Cake Mix, Water, Pudding Mix
If you're a fan of pistachios, you'll love this Christmas cake recipe. It combines the nutty flavor of pistachios with the sweetness of cherries to create a delicious and festive dessert. The bright green and red colors make it a perfect addition to your Christmas spread.
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Australian Traditional Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Butter, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Eggs, Plain Flour
In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer months, so a traditional Christmas cake is often lighter and more tropical. This recipe calls for dried fruits like apricots, mango, and pineapple, as well as a splash of rum for added flavor. It's a perfect dessert for those celebrating Christmas in warmer climates.
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Classic Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Sultanas, Dried Apricots, Dried Figs, Wine
This classic Christmas cake recipe is a staple in many households. It's made with dried fruits, spices, and a touch of brandy, and is topped with a layer of marzipan and royal icing. It's a timeless dessert that never goes out of style and is sure to please everyone at your holiday gathering.
While not technically a cake, Christmas sugar cookies are a must-have on any holiday dessert table. These cookies are fun and easy to make, and you can decorate them with festive designs and colors. They're perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa or as a sweet treat to leave out for Santa.
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Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
Main Ingredients: Egg Whites, Cream Of Tartar, Sugar, Peppermint Extract
If you're looking for a light and festive dessert, these peppermint meringue swirls are perfect. They're sweet and airy, with a subtle hint of peppermint flavor. The red and white swirls also make them a beautiful addition to your holiday dessert spread.
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Traditional Baked Ham
Main Ingredients: Spiral Sliced Bone In Ham, Salted Butter, Light Brown
While not a cake, a traditional baked ham is a staple on many Christmas dinner tables. This recipe calls for a simple glaze made with brown sugar, mustard, and cloves, and is sure to be a hit with your guests. The leftovers also make for delicious sandwiches the next day.
The Key Ingredients
Flour:
Delia's recipe calls for a mix of flour, ground almonds, and breadcrumbs. This combination gives the cake a rich and moist texture, making it perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors.
Fruit:
No Christmas cake is complete without a generous amount of dried fruits. Delia's recipe calls for raisins, sultanas, currants, candied peel, and glacé cherries. These fruits not only add sweetness but also give the cake a festive touch.
Liquor:
One of the key ingredients in Delia's recipe is brandy. It not only adds a lovely flavor to the cake but also helps with preserving it. You can also use other types of liquor such as rum or whiskey, depending on your preference.
Spices:
Christmas is all about warm and cozy flavors, and Delia's recipe includes a mix of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. These spices give the cake a beautiful aroma and a festive taste.
The Process
Soaking the Fruits:
The first step to making Delia's traditional Christmas cake is soaking the dried fruits in brandy. This process not only plumps up the fruits but also infuses them with the liquor, giving the cake a rich flavor.
Making the Batter:
Once the fruits are soaked, it's time to make the batter. Delia's recipe calls for creaming butter, sugar, and eggs together before adding in the dry ingredients. This step ensures a light and airy cake.
Baking and Feeding:
After the cake is baked, it's time to feed it with more brandy. This process not only adds more flavor but also helps with preserving the cake. Delia recommends feeding the cake once a week until Christmas.
Decorating:
The final step is decorating the cake with marzipan and icing. Delia's recipe includes a simple and easy-to-follow method for creating a beautiful and festive-looking cake.
In conclusion, Delia Smith's traditional Christmas cake recipe is a perfect balance of rich flavors and festive spirit. With its key ingredients and step-by-step process, this recipe is guaranteed to impress your family and friends. So why not give it a try this holiday season and add a touch of Delia's magic to your Christmas celebration? Happy baking!
