The Perfect Christmas Cake Recipe You’ll Love Making
Looking for the perfect Christmas cake recipe that’ll wow your family and friends this holiday season?
This rich, fruity, and absolutely delicious Christmas cake has been my go-to recipe for over a decade.
What makes this Christmas cake special is its perfect balance of fruits, nuts, and warming spices that’ll fill your home with the most incredible holiday aroma.
The best part? While it looks impressive, it’s actually pretty straightforward to make.
What You’ll Need for This Christmas Cake
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas) | 4 cups |
| Candied cherries | 1 cup |
| Mixed peel | ½ cup |
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Butter (room temperature) | 2 cups |
| Brown sugar | 2 cups |
| Eggs | 6 large |
| Brandy or rum | ½ cup (plus extra for feeding) |
| Mixed spices | 2 tablespoons |
| Chopped almonds | 1 cup |
| Orange zest | from 2 oranges |
| Lemon zest | from 2 lemons |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Fruit Preparation (Day Before)
First, I always start by soaking my dried fruits the day before baking.
In a large bowl, I combine all the dried fruits, candied cherries, and mixed peel.
Then I pour over the brandy or rum, give it a good stir, and cover with plastic wrap.
Let this sit overnight – trust me, this makes a huge difference to the final cake.
2. Preparing Your Baking Pan
The next day, I start by preheating my oven to 275°F (135°C).
I line a 9-inch round cake pan with two layers of parchment paper.
The double layer is super important – it prevents the cake from drying out during the long baking time.
I also wrap the outside of the pan with brown paper and string – an old trick my grandma taught me.
3. Making the Cake Batter
In my stand mixer, I cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
This usually takes about 5-7 minutes – don’t rush this step!
Then I add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
If the mixture starts to curdle, I add a tablespoon of the measured flour.
In a separate bowl, I sift together the flour and mixed spices.
I fold this into the butter mixture gradually, using gentle movements to keep the air in.
Now comes the fun part – adding the soaked fruits, nuts, and citrus zests.
I mix everything until just combined – overworking the batter will make the cake tough.
4. Baking Your Christmas Cake
I spoon the mixture into my prepared cake pan, leveling the surface with a spatula.
Make a slight depression in the center – this helps the cake rise evenly.
The cake needs to bake for about 4-4½ hours.
I check it after 3½ hours by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean when the cake is done.
If the top starts browning too quickly, I cover it with foil.
5. The All-Important Feeding Process
Once the cake is baked, I let it cool completely in the pan.
When cool, I poke holes in the top with a skewer and drizzle over 2-3 tablespoons of brandy or rum.
I wrap the cake in parchment paper and then foil, storing it in an airtight container.
Every week until Christmas, I feed the cake with 1-2 tablespoons of brandy or rum.
This keeps it moist and develops the flavors beautifully.
Tips for the Perfect Christmas Cake
Making this Christmas cake recipe is all about timing and patience.
I recommend baking it at least 6-8 weeks before Christmas to allow the flavors to mature.
All ingredients should be at room temperature before you start.
Don’t skip the fruit soaking step – it’s crucial for a moist, flavorful cake.
If you’re not a fan of alcohol, you can use orange juice instead.
The cake keeps wonderfully for up to 6 months when stored properly.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas cake recipe has never failed me, and I’m confident it’ll become your holiday favorite too.
While it takes time and patience, the end result is absolutely worth it.
The rich, fruity flavor and moist texture make it perfect for your holiday celebrations.
Remember, the key to success is planning ahead and showing the cake some love with regular feeding.
Whether you’re serving it to family or giving it as a gift, this Christmas cake is sure to spread joy and holiday cheer.
