A beautifully decorated traditional Christmas cake with a smooth white icing layer, adorned with holly leaves, red berries, and a dusting of powdered sugar. A slice is cut to reveal the rich, fruit-packed interior with raisins, sultanas, and nuts. The cake sits on an elegant ANTA baking dish on a rustic wooden table, surrounded by warm festive lighting, pinecones, and fairy lights, creating a cozy holiday atmosphere.

Classic Christmas Cake

This traditional Christmas cake is rich with dried fruits, spices, and a generous splash of brandy. It’s covered in a smooth layer of marzipan and icing, making it the perfect centerpiece for your festive celebrations.
Portions:12
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time:3 hours
Share on Facebook Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Cake tin (20-23 cm)
  • Baking parchment
  • mixing bowl
  • wooden spoon
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pastry brush

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 225 g unsalted butter softened
  • 225 g dark brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 225 g plain flour
  • 2 tsp mixed spice powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 200 g currants
  • 200 g raisins
  • 150 g sultanas
  • 100 g glacé cherries chopped
  • 100 g chopped dried figs
  • 75 g almonds chopped
  • 100 ml brandy

For the Marzipan and Icing:

  • 200 g marzipan
  • 200 g royal icing sugar
  • 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a 20-23 cm cake tin with baking parchment.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Sift the flour, mixed spice powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder together, then fold into the butter mixture.
  • Stir in the dried fruits, nuts, and brandy, mixing until well combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and level the top with a spatula.
  • Bake for 2.
  • 5-3 hours, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once the cake is cooled, brush the top with a little brandy.
  • Roll out the marzipan and cover the cake, smoothing it down with your hands.
  • Roll out the royal icing and cover the marzipan layer, smoothing it gently.
  • Let the cake rest for a day before decorating.

Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:

Serving Tip:
Decorate with holly leaves and berries or other festive decorations for a beautiful finish.
Wine Advice:
Pair with a rich dessert wine like Port or a glass of sherry for a perfect festive treat.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 400 kcal | Carbohydrates: 60 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 18 g | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 35 g | Salt: 0.2 g
————————————————————————————————–
Recipe Category Cake / Dessert / Oven Baked / Rustic Baking
Country England
Holliday: Christmas
Season: Winter
Diets Vegetarian
Translate »