Christmas Cake Easy Moist Fruit Cake

Robert Peston

2 min read

·

21-11-2024

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The holidays are upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious, moist Christmas cake? This recipe delivers a festive treat without the fuss, perfect for even the busiest baker. Forget those complicated recipes; this one prioritizes simplicity without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients:

• 175g self-raising flour
• 175g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants – your favorites!)
• 175g caster sugar
• 175g butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp milk (or more if needed)
• Optional: A splash of brandy or rum for extra festive flavor. A handful of chopped nuts for added texture.

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 150°C (130°C fan/Gas Mark 2). Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin. This step ensures your cake doesn't stick and allows for easy removal.

2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer is ideal, but you can achieve excellent results with a hand mixer or even good old-fashioned elbow grease.

3. Add Eggs Gradually: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. If the mixture starts to curdle, add a spoonful of flour to stabilize it.

4. Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the self-raising flour and mixed spice. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly acceptable. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.

5. Incorporate Fruit: Stir in the mixed dried fruit. If using, add nuts and your chosen alcoholic spirit now.

6. Adjust Consistency: Add a tablespoon of milk if the mixture is too thick. The batter should be spoonable, but not runny.

7. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared tin and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool & Decorate: Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate as desired with icing, marzipan, or festive sprinkles.

Tips for Success:

• Fruit Soaking: For an even more moist cake, soak the dried fruit in a little warm water or brandy for at least 30 minutes before adding it to the batter. This will plump up the fruit and add extra flavor.
• Don't Overbake: Overbaking is the enemy of a moist cake. Start checking for doneness around the 1 hour 30 minute mark to avoid dryness.
• Storage: Store your Christmas cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze it for longer storage.

This simple recipe will help you create a delicious and memorable Christmas cake, perfect for sharing with loved ones. Enjoy!