Create the Ultimate Christmas Cake That Everyone Will Love

Lisa Figueroa
2 hours ago
5 min read

Making your Christmas cake in September is perfect, as too fresh a cake crumbles when cut.

Mary Berry

Can you believe, it's only 54 days until Santa comes a calling! With this in mind, there’s no better way to celebrate than by baking the ultimate Christmas cake! This delicious treat fills your home with the warm aroma of spices and fruits while bringing family and friends together for a festive celebration. In this blog post, I’ll share my favourite recipe, tips for when to bake, how to prepare it, and how to store and feed the cake so that it stays moist and flavourful. Let's get started!

The Best Time to Make Your Christmas Cake

If you're going to "feed" your cake, timing is key. It's best to start baking your cake at least two before months before Christmas or, if you're Mary Berry, get it done in September! This allows the flavours to develop and mature, leading to a richer taste that everyone will love.

I typically bake mine in the first weekend of November, tomorrow's job! This timing gives me enough opportunity to feed the cake with either brandy or rum, this year it's going to be brandy, this not only enhances the flavor but also helps preserve it. to make your cake last longer, wrap it tightly in parchment paper and foil and store it in a cool, dark spot.

According to experts, cakes fed with alcohol can stay fresh for months, making this step well worth it and hence me starting early!

Ingredients You'll Need

To create a show-stopping Christmas cake, you'll need a blend of traditional ingredients. Here’s what I use:

500g mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants)
200g chopped nuts (such as walnuts and almonds)
250g unsalted butter, softened
250g brown sugar
4 large eggs
250g all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange
100ml brandy or rum (for feeding)

Feel free to adjust the types of dried fruits and nuts based on your preferences. For example, you can substitute half of the dried fruits with orange zest if you’d like a greater citrus note.

How to Make the Cake

With your ingredients ready, let's get baking! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create the ultimate Christmas cake:

Prepare Your Tin: Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake tin with parchment paper.
Mix Dried Fruits and Nuts: In a large bowl, combine your mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts. Add a tablespoon of flour to coat them lightly, which helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about five minutes.
Incorporate the Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed in before adding the next.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and spices. Gradually fold this mixture into the wet ingredients.
Add Zest and Fruits: Finally, fold in the lemon and orange zest along with the floured fruits and nuts.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for about two to two-and-a-half hours or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Store: Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the tin for ten minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. After it’s completely cool, wrap it in parchment paper and foil, storing it in an airtight container.

Feeding the Cake

Feeding your Christmas cake is important for keeping it moist and flavorful. I recommend starting this process one week after baking. Here’s my method:

Unwrap the Cake: Gently remove the cake from its foil and parchment.
Feed the Cake: Use a long skewer to poke several holes in the cake making sure you maintain the structure and integrity of the cake, i.e. don't overdo it! slowly pour 30mls/2tbs of Brandy all over the top of the cake
Wrap It back Up: Wrap it back up in parchment paper and foil, storing it in an airtight container, see below.
Repeat Fortnightly: Do this every other week until Christmas. This process not only retains moisture but also deepens the flavour, making your cake even more delicious.

Storing Your Christmas Cake

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining your Christmas cake’s quality. Here are my top tips:

Cool Completely: Ensure the cake is entirely cool before wrapping it to prevent moisture from building up and causing mould.
Use Airtight Containers: Store the wrapped cake in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Keep It Cool: Store the cake in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
Avoid Refrigeration: While the fridge can seem like a good idea, it can actually dry out your cake. Room temperature is best for storage.

Decorating Your Cake

As Christmas approaches, it’s time to bring your cake to life with decorations! I enjoy keeping it simple yet festive. Here are some ideas to consider:

Marzipan and Icing: Cover the cake with marzipan and then a layer of royal icing for a traditional look.
Fresh Fruits and Nuts: Decorate the top with fresh fruits like cranberries or pomegranate seeds, along with a sprinkle of nuts for added texture.

Glace Fruits and Nuts: This is currently my fav option having stolen the idea from Nigela! Simply but a selection of glace fruits and arrange decoratively. For the last couple of years I've got mine from Amazon - other retailers are available!

Edible Glitter: If you want to add some sparkle, consider using edible glitter or gold dust for a festive touch.

Festive Toppers: Enhance the look with whimsical cake toppers, like miniature Christmas trees or snowflakes.

Baking a Christmas Masterpiece

Baking the ultimate Christmas cake is a rewarding experience that results in a delicious centrepiece for your holiday celebrations. By starting early, using quality ingredients, and following these steps, you’ll create a cake that not only tastes amazing but also becomes a cherished tradition.

Gather your ingredients, play your favourite holiday music, and let the baking begin! I promise this cake will be a hit with everyone who tries it. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!