If you’re looking to add a touch of tradition and elegance to your festive season, the Classic British Christmas Cake is an excellent choice. Rich, flavorful, and beautifully decorated, this cake is a Christmas staple that’s perfect for the holiday table. Packed with dried fruits, a hint of spices, and a generous splash of brandy, this cake improves with age, making it a delightful treat for your celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Classic British Christmas Cake
For the fruit mixture:
- 250g (½ lb.) dried apricots
- 250g (½ lb.) dried dates, de-stoned
- 250g (½ lb.) raisins or sultanas
- 125g (¼ lb.) candied orange peel
- 250ml (1 cup) brandy
For the cake batter:
- 300g white sugar
- 125g (1 stick + 1 Tbsp) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 3 large eggs
- 125ml (½ cup) vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp runny honey
- 250g (½ lb.) plain flour
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 75g (2.5 oz.) almonds, roughly chopped
For the icing:
- 3 Tbsp apricot jam
- 400g (14 oz.) marzipan
- 500g (1 lb.) white fondant
How to Make the Classic British Christmas Cake
1. Soak the Fruit
Start by cutting the dried apricots and dates into small pieces. Place them in a medium saucepan with raisins, candied orange peel, and brandy. Heat this mixture until it simmers, then remove it from the heat and allow it to infuse for 30 minutes. This will help the fruits absorb the brandy, giving the cake its rich flavor.
2. Prepare the Cake Pan
Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F), with a rack in the lower third. Grease and line the sides and base of a 20cm (8-inch) round springform pan with baking parchment paper. Create a paper collar around the pan to ensure the cake has enough room to rise as it bakes.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a stand mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, oil, and honey to the butter mixture, blending until smooth.
4. Add Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking powder into the mixer. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Once done, fold in the soaked fruits, including any leftover brandy, and the chopped almonds.
5. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 3 hours. In the final 45 minutes, remove the foil to allow the top to brown. Make sure to keep an eye on the cake to prevent over-browning—if it gets too dark, re-cover it with foil.
6. Cool the Cake
Once baked, test the cake with a skewer to ensure it is cooked through. Let it cool completely in the pan. For the best results, it’s ideal to let the cake cool overnight.
7. Decorate with Marzipan and Fondant
Once the cake has fully cooled, remove it from the pan. Heat the apricot jam until it’s melted, and brush it over the cake to act as a sticky base for the marzipan. Roll out the marzipan on a surface dusted with cornstarch, then drape it over the cake, smoothing it down and trimming the excess.
Next, roll out the fondant in the same way and place it over the marzipan layer, smoothing it down to cover the cake. Trim any excess fondant at the base, and your cake is ready to be decorated with festive touches like artificial holly leaves or a decorative ribbon.
8. Storage and Feeding the Cake
Traditionally, the Christmas cake is made well in advance and “fed” with a splash of brandy every week. Wrap it tightly in cling film and store it in a cool place to keep the flavors developing over time. Add marzipan and fondant just before serving.
Tips for the Best Christmas Cake
- Alcohol-Free Option: If you prefer an alcohol-free version, you can replace the brandy with a mix of black tea and fruit juice for soaking the fruits.
- Marzipan and Fondant: These layers help preserve the cake, but for the best flavor, add them just a day or two before serving.
- Aging: The longer the cake ages, the more intense the flavors become, so making it weeks in advance can really enhance the taste.
Variations to Try
If you’re looking for other festive cake recipes, consider trying these delightful options:
- Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – A warm, spiced cake that’s perfect for the holidays.
- Christmas Sugar Cookies – Sweet and crisp, ideal for decorating with loved ones.
- Eggnog Cake for the Holidays – A creamy, festive cake that brings the flavors of eggnog to life.
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Happy Baking!
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