When I tell you this Christmas cake is simple to make, I mean super duper simple. It takes minutes to put together, doesn’t need to be made in advance or soaked in brandy, and is deliciously soft and moist. You can make this Christmas Cake the day you need it, and can serve it for afternoon tea. It doesn’t need any cover ups of marzipan, fondant icing or any fancy topping.
It couldn’t get easier than this. I love how this cake, is so light compared to normal fruit cakes, yet still has the beautiful moist flavour of a traditional Christmas Cake. No one would ever know that you have taken the easy route. This cake is a winner, and the secret to this recipe is it’s made with a bottle of Fruit mince, the type you use for mince pies. I’ve also added plump cranberries and raw almonds , because what would Christmas be without cranberries and nuts?
I made two cakes, one in a round tin which I decorated with a light dusting of icing sugar and wrapped with a layer of baking paper and then a sheet of old manuscript paper. The other in a square tin which I wrapped in newsprint paper with a beautiful linen ribbon and then added one of my printed Shades of Cinnamon ribbons . Easy and quick, and great to take as a gift to a Christmas lunch.
If you would prefer the traditional dense Christmas Cake you will never go wrong with this one which I have made just about every year for the last 30 years. Plus there are some easy ideas on how to decorate your cake without any fuss.
For the linen serviettes, I tied them with stripped red and white fabric and string, and added the pine cones and grass balls . Decorating the Christmas table is a freeze when you are not using fresh flowers, as everything can be done in advance.
How do you like to decorate your Christmas Cakes? Do you like them traditional or modern? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
- 150 g / 5oz softened butter
- 150 g / 5oz light brown sugar
- 225 g / 8oz self raising flour
- 2 large eggs
- 400 g / 14oz bottled fruit mince
- 100 g / 6oz raisins
- 75 g / 3 oz cranberries
- 50 g / 2oz chopped almonds
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Preheat your oven to 160ºC / if using thermofan 140ºC .
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Grease and line a 25cm /10in round baking tin.
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Soften butter by beating in a mixer, and add sugar. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
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Add the flour, whisked eggs, fruit mince, raisins , cranberries and chopped nuts.
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Beat for one minute until all is combined.
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Spoon into prepared baking tin and level the surface.
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Bake for 1 1/2hours or until nicely browned and a skewer comes clean when inserted in the cake.
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Cover the cake with foil after 1 hour if it starts becoming too brown.
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Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
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Once completely cool you can decorate it .
10 Comments
This cake looks like its easy enough for me to make. I can not wait to see what else you have in store for us this December.
Hi Tracey – yes its easy. Enjoy making it and let me know how it turns out
Not making your usual Christmas cake this year Ev? How does this one compare
Hi Jen, This one is definitely different. My usual is dense with fruit whereas this is a much lighter cake. I love it, its different, more of a casual tea cake, yet it has all the qualities of a Christmas Cake. Its so easy to make, give it a try and see what you think.
It’s delicious with a little Lemoncello pored over it as well.
Yes, yum, think I’ll make another one for next week. What about some Amarula Cream or Baileys over if for dessert? Lets get creative
Hi Ev Absolutely stunning!!! You certainly have got “the Merry on”. Once again, have left the “traditional cake” for the last minute. So going to give this recipe a try . Wow Ev, your “props” are absolutely beautiful. Have to ask once again, those “tree stump cake stands” – did you buy online? Need one for a friends wedding next year. would appreciate link or other.
Hi Kathy, It a great time of the year to over indulge, so why the heck not. The cake stands are just rounds from a tree that was cut. Find a local garden service who may be cutting down some trees and get them to cut a few for you. Obviousy it needs to be an interesting tree with some decent bark. I haven’t seen them being sold, but will keep a look out for you.
Ev, your cake and pictures are so sophisticated and classy. I personally prefer this lighter version than the dense one. I am all over the place when it comes to table decoration I like to do it differently every year. It could be modern or classic. I love to use natural-look props like the ones you just used but sometimes I like the sparkly and colourful stuff from the shops.
I know Georgina, its always such a big decision on how to decorate the table each year. I’m not having a Christmas meal at home this year so I am off the hook.