18+ My Traditional British Christmas Cake Recipe They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Apr 12, 2024
It's that time of year again, where the smell of warm spices and sweet fruit fill the air. Yes, it's Christmas season and what better way to celebrate than with a traditional British Christmas cake. This rich and indulgent treat is a staple in every British household during the festive season. Passed down through generations, this recipe is a true representation of the holiday spirit. So, grab your apron and let's get baking!
Christmas is a time for delicious treats and indulging in all your favorite foods. One classic dessert that is a must-have for any Christmas celebration is a Christmas cake. This rich, fruity cake is full of warm spices and often topped with a layer of marzipan and icing. There are countless variations of this traditional British dessert, but here are some of the top 20 Christmas cake recipes to try this holiday season.
The traditional British Christmas cake is a dense and moist fruitcake that is typically made with a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, spices, and brandy. This cake is often served with a layer of marzipan and icing on top, making it a show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday table. To make this cake, you'll need to start soaking the fruit in brandy a few days before baking to allow the flavors to develop.
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Old Fashioned British Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Currants, Sultanas, Raisins, Mixed Peel, Glace
If you prefer a simpler version of the traditional British Christmas cake, try this old fashioned recipe. It uses a mixture of plain and self-raising flour for a lighter texture and is flavored with a combination of ground almonds, mixed spice, and orange zest. This cake is best served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or custard.
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Cranberry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Flour, Fresh Cranberries
For a festive twist on the classic Christmas cake, try this cranberry Christmas cake recipe. It adds tangy cranberries to the traditional dried fruit mixture, giving the cake a burst of bright flavor. The cranberries also add a beautiful pop of color to the cake, making it a stunning addition to any holiday dessert table.
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, All Purpose
For a show-stopping Christmas dessert, try making this ultimate Christmas Yule log cake. This decadent cake is made with a rich chocolate sponge and filled with a creamy chocolate ganache. It's then covered in a layer of chocolate buttercream and decorated with festive fondant holly leaves and berries.
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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 make a delicious Christmas cake, this simple recipe is for you. It uses a store-bought fruit cake mix to save time, but you can still customize it with your own spices and add-ins. This cake is perfect for those who want a homemade dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Moist Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Fruit, Vanilla Extract, Malt Syrup, Sherry, Glucose
One of the keys to a delicious Christmas cake is ensuring that it stays moist. This recipe achieves just that with the addition of applesauce and sour cream to the batter. These ingredients add moisture and flavor to the cake, making it a hit with everyone who tries it.
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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. This Italian Christmas cake is made with a light and airy pandoro cake, which is then stacked and shaped into a Christmas tree. It's then topped with a layer of icing and decorated with colorful sprinkles and candies.
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British Christmas Pudding
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Golden Raisins, Self Rising Flour
In addition to Christmas cake, another traditional British dessert is Christmas pudding. This dense and rich pudding is made with a mixture of dried fruits, suet, and spices, and is often served with a warm brandy sauce. It's a time-consuming dessert to make, but the end result is well worth the effort.
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Fruit Cake - Plum Cake - Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt
In some parts of the world, a Christmas cake is known as a fruit cake or a plum cake. These terms refer to the same delicious dessert, which is made with a mix of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. No matter what you call it, this cake is a must-have for any Christmas celebration.
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Cranberry & Lime Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Lime, Flour, Fresh
If you love the combination of sweet and tart flavors, you'll want to try this cranberry and lime Christmas cake. The addition of fresh lime juice and zest gives the cake a bright and refreshing twist, while the cranberries add a burst of seasonal flavor. It's a delicious and unexpected twist on the classic Christmas cake.
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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 pistachio cherry Christmas cake. It's made with a light and fluffy pistachio sponge and filled with a cherry and pistachio cream. It's then topped with a layer of marzipan and fondant icing, giving it a beautiful and festive appearance.
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Fruit Cake | Christmas Cake | Plum Cake
Main Ingredients: Oil, Eggs, Spice, Baking Powder, Vanilla Essence, Lemon
As mentioned earlier, Christmas cake is known by different names in different parts of the world. In some places, it's simply referred to as a fruit cake, while in others it's called a plum cake. No matter what you call it, this delicious dessert is a staple at Christmas time and is loved by many.
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Cranberry Almond Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Large Eggs, Unsalted Butter, Almond
For a twist on the classic combination of fruit and nuts in a Christmas cake, try this cranberry almond version. The addition of almond extract and sliced almonds adds a subtle nuttiness to the cake, while the cranberries bring a tart and tangy flavor. It's a delicious and unique take on the traditional Christmas cake.
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Plum Cake, Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Brown Sugar, Melted Butter, Maida, Baking Powder
In some parts of the world, a Christmas cake is known as a plum cake. This name refers to the addition of plums or prunes to the traditional fruit mixture. These dried fruits add a sweet and rich flavor to the cake, making it a popular choice for many during the holiday season.
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Classic Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Sultanas, Dried Apricots, Dried Figs, Wine
For a tried and true Christmas cake recipe, look no further than this classic version. It uses a combination of dried fruits, spices, and brandy for a rich and flavorful cake that is perfect for serving with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also customize this recipe with your favorite fruits and nuts for a personalized touch.
Christmas isn't just about cakes and puddings, it's also a time for cookies! These Christmas sugar cookies are a fun and festive addition to any holiday dessert spread. They can be shaped and decorated with festive designs and are perfect for getting the whole family involved in the baking process.
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Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
Main Ingredients: Egg Whites, Cream Of Tartar, Sugar, Peppermint Extract
Peppermint and Christmas go hand in hand, and these Christmas peppermint meringue swirls are a perfect example of that. These light and airy cookies are flavored with peppermint extract and swirled with red food coloring for a festive touch. They make a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie tray.
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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 savory option for your Christmas celebration, try this Christmas tree pull-apart pizza bread. It's made with a simple pizza dough and topped with your favorite pizza toppings. The dough is then shaped into a Christmas tree and baked until golden brown and delicious.
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Healthy Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Mixed Dried Fruit, Ground Cinnamon, Extract, Nutmeg
For those who are trying to eat healthy during the holiday season, this healthy Christmas cake is a great option. It uses whole wheat flour, applesauce, and olive oil to make a lighter and more nutritious version of the traditional Christmas cake. It's still packed with all the warm spices and flavors you love, but with a healthier twist.
Ingredients:
Raisins
The first key ingredient in our British Christmas cake is the humble raisin. These tiny dried fruits pack a punch of flavor and are a staple in many traditional holiday recipes. They add a natural sweetness and chewy texture to the cake, making it a delight to eat.
Currants
Next up, we have currants. These small, dried fruits are similar to raisins but have a slightly tangier taste. They add a depth of flavor to the cake and are often used in British desserts. Currants are also a good source of antioxidants, making this cake a slightly healthier indulgence during the holiday season.
Candied Peel
No British Christmas cake is complete without candied peel. Made from citrus fruits like orange and lemon, candied peel adds a burst of tangy sweetness to the cake. It also adds a pop of color, making the cake look more festive and inviting.
Brandy
Now, onto the secret ingredient – brandy. This potent liquor is what gives the Christmas cake its signature boozy flavor. It also helps to keep the cake moist and prevents it from drying out. The brandy is added to the cake batter and also used to brush the cake after it's been baked, giving it a glossy finish.
Method:
Once you have all your ingredients, it's time to start baking. The first step is to mix the dried fruits, candied peel, and brandy together in a bowl and let it sit overnight. This allows the fruits to absorb the brandy, making them plump and juicy.
Next, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add in eggs one at a time, followed by flour and spices. Finally, fold in the fruit mixture and pour the batter into a lined cake tin. Bake for a few hours until the cake is golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
Once the cake is cooled, brush it with more brandy and let it sit for a few weeks before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and mature, making for a more delicious and indulgent cake.
In conclusion, a traditional British Christmas cake is a labor of love that requires time and patience, but the end result is worth it. It's a delicious and festive treat that brings families and friends together during the holiday season. So, why not give this recipe a try and add a touch of British tradition to your Christmas celebrations?
