16+ Easy British Christmas Cake Recipe Try These Culinary Delights!
Published on: Mar 4, 2024
The Christmas season is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a traditional British Christmas cake? This rich, fruity cake is a staple at many holiday gatherings, and with our easy recipe, you can have one baked and ready to serve in no time. So put on your apron, turn on some Christmas tunes, and let's get baking!
Christmas is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a delicious Christmas cake? From traditional British Christmas cakes to unique creations, we have gathered the top 20 beer can chicken recipes for you to try this holiday season.
The traditional British Christmas cake is a must-have for many families during the holiday season. This fruitcake is loaded with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, and is usually soaked in liquor for weeks before being served. It is then topped with marzipan and royal icing, making it a beautiful and delicious centerpiece for your Christmas table.
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Old Fashioned British Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Currants, Sultanas, Raisins, Mixed Peel, Glace
If you want to stick with a classic, try this old fashioned British Christmas cake recipe. It uses a mixture of dried fruits such as raisins, currants, and cherries, along with candied citrus peel, to create a rich and flavorful cake. The addition of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg adds a festive touch to this traditional cake.
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Cranberry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Flour, Fresh Cranberries
For a modern twist on the classic fruitcake, try this cranberry Christmas cake recipe. It combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweetness of dried fruits, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of orange zest and juice adds a refreshing citrus note, making this cake a great alternative for those who are not a fan of heavy fruitcakes.
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, All Purpose
If you want to impress your guests this holiday season, try making this ultimate Christmas yule log cake. This show-stopping dessert is made with a light and airy sponge cake, filled with chocolate cream and rolled into a log shape. It is then covered with a rich chocolate ganache and decorated with meringue mushrooms, creating a beautiful and delicious centerpiece for your Christmas table.
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Simple Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, All Purpose Flour
If you are short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious Christmas cake, this simple recipe is perfect for you. It uses a store-bought cake mix and adds in dried fruits, spices, and brandy to create a festive and flavorful cake. It is quick and easy to make, but still delivers all the flavors of a traditional Christmas cake.
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Moist Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Fruit, Vanilla Extract, Malt Syrup, Sherry, Glucose
The key to a great Christmas cake is its moisture, and this recipe will not disappoint. This moist Christmas cake is loaded with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, and is soaked in brandy for at least a week before being served. The addition of grated apple and lemon zest adds extra moisture and flavor to this delicious cake.
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Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake (Italian Christmas Cake)
Main Ingredients: Cake, Mascarpone, Vin Santo, Powdered Sugar
This Pandoro Christmas tree cake is a beautiful and delicious Italian Christmas cake that is perfect for the holiday season. The pandoro cake, which is a light and fluffy cake, is cut into a Christmas tree shape and filled with a creamy mascarpone cream. It is then topped with fresh berries and powdered sugar, creating a stunning and festive dessert.
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British Christmas Pudding
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Golden Raisins, Self Rising Flour
Similar to the British Christmas cake, the Christmas pudding is a staple dessert during the holiday season. It is made with a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and breadcrumbs, and is steamed for hours before being served. The addition of suet adds richness and moisture to this traditional pudding.
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Fruit Cake - Plum Cake - Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt
This fruit cake, also known as a plum cake or Christmas cake, is a popular dessert during the holiday season. It is filled with a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, and is often soaked in liquor for weeks before being served. This recipe uses a combination of raisins, currants, and prunes, but you can use any dried fruits you prefer.
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Cranberry & Lime Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Lime, Flour, Fresh
This cranberry and lime Christmas cake is a refreshing and modern take on the traditional fruitcake. It uses fresh cranberries and lime zest and juice to add a burst of tangy flavor to the cake. The addition of almonds adds a nice crunch to this moist and flavorful cake.
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Pistachio Cherry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: White Or Yellow Cake Mix, Water, Pudding Mix
This unique Christmas cake is made with pistachios and cherries, giving it a festive red and green color. The pistachios add a nice nutty flavor to the cake, while the cherries add a touch of sweetness. This cake is perfect for those who want to try something different but still want to stick with the holiday flavors.
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Fruit Cake | Christmas Cake | Plum Cake
Main Ingredients: Oil, Eggs, Spice, Baking Powder, Vanilla Essence, Lemon
This fruit cake is a classic recipe that can be found in many families' recipe boxes. It uses a combination of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, and is often soaked in liquor for weeks before being served. The addition of molasses adds a rich and deep flavor to this festive cake.
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Cranberry Almond Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Large Eggs, Unsalted Butter, Almond
If you love the combination of cranberries and almonds, you will love this Christmas cake recipe. It uses dried cranberries and almond extract to create a flavorful and moist cake. The addition of sliced almonds on top adds a nice crunch to this delicious dessert.
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Classic Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Sultanas, Dried Apricots, Dried Figs, Wine
This classic Christmas cake recipe is a tried and tested favorite among many families. It is made with a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, and is soaked in brandy for at least a week before being served. The addition of chopped apples adds extra moisture and a nice texture to this traditional cake.
No holiday season is complete without some Christmas sugar cookies. This recipe uses a simple and easy sugar cookie dough and adds festive decorations with icing and sprinkles. It is a fun activity to do with the whole family and makes for a delicious and festive treat.
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Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
Main Ingredients: Egg Whites, Cream Of Tartar, Sugar, Peppermint Extract
These Christmas peppermint meringue swirls are a light and airy dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. The meringue is flavored with peppermint extract and swirled with red food coloring, creating a beautiful and festive treat. They are also gluten-free, making them a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
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Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Main Ingredients: Finely Grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese, Pizza Dough
If you are looking for a savory option for your Christmas celebrations, try making this Christmas tree pull-apart pizza bread. It uses refrigerated pizza dough and is filled with cheese, pepperoni, and Italian spices, creating a delicious and festive appetizer. It is also a fun and interactive dish that everyone can enjoy.
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Healthy Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Mixed Dried Fruit, Ground Cinnamon, Extract, Nutmeg
If you are watching your waistline this holiday season, you can still enjoy a delicious Christmas cake with this healthy recipe. It uses whole wheat flour, applesauce, and less sugar to create a lighter version of the traditional fruitcake. The addition of dried cranberries and walnuts adds flavor and texture to this guilt-free dessert.
In Japan, Christmas is celebrated with a special type of cake known as the Japanese Christmas cake. This light and fluffy sponge cake is filled with whipped cream and decorated with strawberries, creating a beautiful and delicious dessert. It is a refreshing and unique option for those who want to try something different this holiday season.
The History of the British Christmas Cake
The Origins
The Christmas cake has been a part of British holiday traditions since the 16th century. Originally, it was a simple fruitcake made with dried fruits, spices, and a bit of rum or brandy. It was often served as a celebratory dessert during the festive season, and its popularity continued to grow through the centuries.
The Influence of Royal Weddings
In the 19th century, Queen Victoria's royal wedding to Prince Albert sparked a trend for elaborate and ornate Christmas cakes. These cakes were often decorated with intricate designs and topped with marzipan and icing. They became a symbol of wealth and status and were a must-have at any Christmas feast.
Modern Adaptations
Over time, the traditional Christmas cake has evolved to include a variety of ingredients such as nuts, citrus peel, and even alcohol-soaked cherries. Some families also add their own twists, like adding chocolate or substituting the traditional brandy with whiskey or sherry. But no matter the variations, the Christmas cake remains a beloved and cherished part of British holiday traditions.
Our Easy British Christmas Cake Recipe
Now that you know the history behind this holiday treat, it's time to get baking! Our easy British Christmas cake recipe will have you whipping up a delicious and festive cake in no time. And the best part? You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
Ingredients:
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup glazed cherries
1 cup chopped mixed nuts
1 cup candied orange peel
1 cup candied lemon peel
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup brandy
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C) and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the raisins, currants, dates, cherries, nuts, orange peel, and lemon peel.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 4: In a third bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and baking powder.
Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, alternating with the brandy, until everything is well combined.
Step 6: Fold in the dried fruit mixture until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Once cooled, you can decorate your Christmas cake with marzipan and icing, or simply dust it with powdered sugar for a more rustic look.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy your delicious British Christmas cake with your loved ones!
Now that you have our easy British Christmas cake recipe, you can add this tasty treat to your holiday traditions. Bake one for your family, friends, or even as a thoughtful gift for your neighbors. Happy baking and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
