18+ Women's Weekly Christmas Cake And Pudding Recipe Get Cooking And Enjoy!
Published on: Mar 22, 2024
In addition to its rich history and tradition, the Women's Weekly Christmas cake and pudding recipe has become a staple in many households during the holiday season. With its warm and comforting flavors, this recipe has stood the test of time and continues to be a favorite among bakers and dessert lovers alike. But what makes this recipe so special? Let's take a closer look at the main ingredients and techniques used in this renowned Christmas treat.
If you're looking to add a festive touch to your holiday dinner, why not try making a delicious Christmas cake? This traditional dessert is a staple in many households during the holiday season, and there are endless variations to suit different tastes and dietary restrictions. From classic fruitcakes to unique flavors like pistachio cherry and cranberry lime, there's a Christmas cake recipe for everyone to enjoy.
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CHEESECAKES - WOMEN'S WEEKLY
Main Ingredients: Biscuits, Butter, Cream Cheese, Grated Orange Rind
For a show-stopping Christmas cake, look no further than the Women's Weekly cheesecake recipe. This indulgent dessert combines creamy cheesecake with fruity flavors like cranberry, raspberry, and orange. The result is a delicious and visually stunning cake that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
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Cranberry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Flour, Fresh Cranberries
Cranberries are a popular ingredient in Christmas cakes, and for a good reason. These tart berries add a burst of flavor and a beautiful red color to any dessert. If you're a fan of cranberries, try making a cranberry Christmas cake this holiday season. The combination of tangy cranberries and sweet cake is a match made in heaven.
One Christmas cake that often gets overlooked is the figgy pudding. This traditional English dessert is a moist and flavorful sponge cake made with figs, spices, and brandy. It's typically served warm with a dollop of brandy butter or custard, making it the perfect comfort food for a cold winter evening.
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, All Purpose
The Yule log, also known as a Christmas log or Buche de Noel, is a classic French dessert that has become a staple in many households around the world. This festive cake is made to look like a log, complete with a bark-like exterior and decorative mushrooms or other woodland creatures. It's a fun and delicious addition to any holiday dessert table.
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Simple Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, All Purpose Flour
If you're short on time or don't consider yourself much of a baker, don't worry. There are plenty of simple Christmas cake recipes out there that require minimal ingredients and effort. You can still impress your guests with a moist and flavorful cake without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Moist Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Fruit, Vanilla Extract, Malt Syrup, Sherry, Glucose
A common complaint about fruitcakes is that they can be dry and dense. But fear not, there are ways to ensure your Christmas cake is moist and delicious. Some tips include soaking the dried fruits in alcohol overnight, using a combination of butter and oil in the batter, and baking at a lower temperature for a longer time.
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Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake (Italian Christmas Cake)
Main Ingredients: Cake, Mascarpone, Vin Santo, Powdered Sugar
For a unique take on Christmas cake, try making a Pandoro Christmas tree cake. This Italian dessert is traditionally made with a star-shaped, buttery cake dusted in powdered sugar. You can top it with your favorite fruits, nuts, or chocolate to create a festive and delicious dessert.
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Fruit Cake - Plum Cake - Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt
Many people use the terms fruit cake, plum cake, and Christmas cake interchangeably. While they all typically contain dried fruits and nuts, there are slight variations in the recipes. Fruit cakes tend to have a higher ratio of dried fruits to cake, while plum cakes often contain a higher percentage of plums. Christmas cakes, on the other hand, can have a mix of fruits and nuts and may also include spices and alcohol.
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Cranberry & Lime Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla, Lime, Flour, Fresh
If you're a fan of citrus flavors, you'll love this cranberry and lime Christmas cake. The combination of tart cranberries and zesty lime creates a refreshing and bright twist on the traditional fruitcake. Plus, the vibrant colors make it a beautiful addition to any holiday table.
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Pistachio Cherry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: White Or Yellow Cake Mix, Water, Pudding Mix
For a unique and tasty Christmas cake, try using pistachios and cherries in your recipe. The nutty and buttery flavor of pistachios pairs perfectly with the sweetness of cherries, creating a delicious and festive dessert. You can also add a splash of almond extract for an extra layer of flavor.
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Fruit Cake | Christmas Cake | Plum Cake
Main Ingredients: Oil, Eggs, Spice, Baking Powder, Vanilla Essence, Lemon
There are so many variations of Christmas cake, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. To make things easier, why not combine different recipes and make a fruit cake, Christmas cake, and plum cake all in one? This way, you can have a variety of flavors and textures on your dessert table to please everyone's taste buds.
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Cranberry Almond Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Large Eggs, Unsalted Butter, Almond
Another delicious cranberry recipe for your Christmas cake is a cranberry almond cake. The nutty and slightly sweet flavor of almonds pairs perfectly with the tangy cranberries, creating a delicious and festive dessert. You can also top it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra special touch.
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Plum Cake, Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, Brown Sugar, Melted Butter, Maida, Baking Powder
If you're a fan of plums, try incorporating them into your Christmas cake recipe. Plums add a burst of sweetness and a beautiful deep purple color to the cake. You can also add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to enhance the flavor and make it even more festive.
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Classic Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Raisins, Sultanas, Dried Apricots, Dried Figs, Wine
Sometimes, you just can't beat a classic. If you're a traditionalist, stick with a classic Christmas cake recipe that has been passed down for generations. These recipes often include a mix of dried fruits, spices, and alcohol, creating a rich and flavorful cake that is synonymous with the holiday season.
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Sticky Toffee Pudding, an Amazing Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Water, Dates, Baking Soda, Butter, Sugar, Large Eggs
If you're not a fan of fruitcakes or traditional Christmas cakes, consider making a sticky toffee pudding for your holiday dessert. This warm and gooey cake is made with dates, brown sugar, and topped with a decadent toffee sauce. It's a crowd-pleaser and a delicious alternative to the more traditional Christmas cakes.
Sugar cookies are a holiday staple and can be a fun and festive addition to your Christmas cake spread. You can use cookie cutters to create shapes like Santa Claus, snowflakes, or Christmas trees and decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles. The kids will love helping to make and decorate these tasty treats.
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Christmas Peppermint Meringue Swirls
Main Ingredients: Egg Whites, Cream Of Tartar, Sugar, Peppermint Extract
If you want to add a touch of elegance to your Christmas dessert table, try making peppermint meringue swirls. These light and airy cookies are made with egg whites, sugar, and peppermint extract, creating a delicious and festive treat. You can also add a few drops of red food coloring for a pop of holiday color.
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Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Main Ingredients: Finely Grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese, Pizza Dough
Not all Christmas cakes have to be sweet. Why not mix things up and make a savory Christmas tree pull-apart pizza bread? This fun and delicious appetizer is made with pizza dough, cheese, and your choice of toppings, making it a hit with both kids and adults. It's a great way to incorporate some non-traditional flavors into your holiday meal.
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Healthy Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Mixed Dried Fruit, Ground Cinnamon, Extract, Nutmeg
If you're watching your waistline but still want to enjoy some holiday treats, try making a healthy Christmas cake. There are plenty of recipes out there that use alternative ingredients like whole wheat flour, honey, and applesauce to make a lighter and healthier version of the traditional fruitcake. You can still indulge without feeling guilty.
The Key Ingredients
Fruit Mixture:
The fruit mixture is the heart and soul of the Women's Weekly Christmas cake and pudding recipe. It consists of a variety of dried fruits such as raisins, currants, and sultanas, which have been soaked in brandy or rum for at least a day. This step not only infuses the fruit with a rich and boozy flavor but also helps to keep the cake and pudding moist and tender. Other ingredients in the fruit mixture include candied citrus peel, almonds, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Eggs:
Eggs play a crucial role in this recipe, providing both structure and richness to the cake and pudding. The Women's Weekly recipe calls for six eggs, which may seem like a lot, but it's what gives the cake and pudding their dense and moist texture. The eggs are beaten with sugar until pale and fluffy, creating a light and airy base for the other ingredients to be folded into.
Flour and Breadcrumbs:
The combination of flour and breadcrumbs is what gives the Women's Weekly Christmas cake and pudding their signature texture. The recipe uses equal amounts of self-raising flour and fresh breadcrumbs, which have been soaked in milk before being added to the mixture. The breadcrumbs not only add moisture to the cake and pudding but also help to bind all the ingredients together, creating a dense yet tender crumb.
The Special Techniques
Steaming:
Unlike most cakes, the Women's Weekly Christmas cake and pudding are not baked in the oven but instead steamed. This method helps to seal in the moisture and flavors, resulting in a rich and flavorful cake and pudding. The steaming process also helps to create that signature dark and glossy color that is synonymous with Christmas desserts.
Feeding:
Another unique aspect of this recipe is the feeding process. After the cake and pudding have been steamed, they are carefully removed from their molds and brushed with more brandy or rum. This not only adds an extra punch of flavor but also helps to preserve the cake and pudding, making them last for weeks or even months.
In conclusion, the Women's Weekly Christmas cake and pudding recipe is a true testament to the power of tradition and the joy of holiday baking. With its rich and flavorful ingredients and special techniques, this recipe has earned its place as a beloved Christmas classic. So why not add it to your holiday baking repertoire and create your own cherished memories with family and friends?
