Ah, Christmas time! There’s just something magical about the smell of a warm cake baking in the oven, isn’t there? This *easy Christmas cake* is my go-to recipe during the holiday season. It’s simple enough that you don’t need a culinary degree to pull it off, yet it’s packed with those delightful festive flavors we all love. Picture this: moist, tender cake dotted with juicy dried fruits and crunchy nuts, all topped off with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Trust me, your kitchen will smell heavenly! I love making this cake because it’s not just a dessert; it’s a warm hug for your taste buds and a wonderful way to bring family and friends together. Plus, the best part? It gets even better the next day! Let’s dive into the recipe, shall we?
Ingredients for Easy Christmas Cake
- 200g mixed dried fruit
- 100g butter (softened)
- 150g sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 100g chopped nuts (your choice, I love walnuts!)
How to Prepare Easy Christmas Cake
Now, let’s get this festive cake into your oven! First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Trust me, you don’t want to forget this step; it’s crucial for a perfectly baked cake! While that’s heating up, grab a mixing bowl and combine the mixed dried fruit with the chopped nuts. I like to give them a little toss together—this helps distribute the flavors throughout the cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. You really want to beat it well—this adds air to your cake and keeps it nice and tender!
- Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This is where the magic starts to happen!
- In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want a soft, airy cake.
- Now, gently fold in the fruit and nut mixture. This is when you can really get excited—those colorful bits of fruit make everything look so festive!
- Pour the batter into a greased cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool in the tin for a bit before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it! A delightful, easy Christmas cake ready for your festive celebrations! Enjoy the process and the delicious aroma wafting through your home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- Deliciously rich flavor that captures the essence of Christmas in every bite.
- Moist texture with a delightful combination of dried fruits and nuts.
- Festive appeal that makes it a showstopper at any holiday gathering!
- Versatile enough to be served plain or dressed up with icing and decorations.
- Great for sharing with friends and family, making memories over a slice (or two!).
- Best of all, it gets even tastier the next day, enhancing those wonderful flavors!
Tips for Success
To nail this *easy Christmas cake*, here are a few of my favorite tips that’ll help you achieve that perfect bake! First, make sure your butter is at room temperature—this will help it cream better with the sugar, creating that fluffy texture we all love. Also, when measuring your flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This ensures you don’t pack it down and end up with a dense cake!
Another key tip is to check on your cake a few minutes before the baking time is up. Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on it! If the top starts browning too quickly, you can tent it with some aluminum foil to prevent burning. And remember, patience is key! Let it cool completely before slicing to ensure those delightful flavors meld together beautifully. Happy baking!
Variations for Easy Christmas Cake
One of the things I love most about this *easy Christmas cake* is how versatile it is! You can easily customize it to suit your tastes or use up whatever you have on hand. For a spice kick, try adding a teaspoon of nutmeg or ginger—these warm spices will elevate the holiday flavors beautifully!
If you want to switch up the nuts, feel free to use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts; they both add a lovely crunch. You could even toss in some chocolate chips for a delightful surprise in every bite—chocolate and dried fruit are such a winning combo!
Another fun idea is to incorporate some citrus zest, like orange or lemon, to give your cake a fresh, zesty twist. The options are endless, so let your creativity shine! Enjoy experimenting!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve whipped up this delightful *easy Christmas cake*, you’ll want to make sure it stays fresh for as long as possible! To store leftovers, simply place your cake in an airtight container—this keeps it moist and prevents it from drying out. It’s best enjoyed within 3 to 5 days, but trust me, it might not last that long with all the deliciousness it brings!
If you find yourself with some leftover cake, you can also freeze it for later enjoyment. Just slice it up, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and pop them in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll keep well for about 2 months. When you’re ready to indulge again, thaw slices in the fridge overnight. Reheat individual pieces in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back that cozy, warm flavor. Enjoy every last crumb!
Nutritional Information
Now, if you’re curious about the nutritional details of this *easy Christmas cake*, here’s a rough estimate per slice. Each slice contains about 250 calories, with 10g of fat (5g saturated), 4g of protein, and 35g of carbohydrates. You’ll also find around 15g of sugar and 2g of fiber per serving. Keep in mind, these values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients used. But hey, it’s the holidays—sometimes, a little indulgence is just what we need!
FAQ About Easy Christmas Cake
Got questions about making this *easy Christmas cake*? I’ve got you covered! One common query is, “Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?” While dried fruit gives that lovely concentrated sweetness and chewiness, you can experiment with fresh fruit. Just be aware that it might change the texture and moisture level, so you may need to adjust the baking time.
Another popular question is, “What if I don’t have all-purpose flour?” No worries! You can substitute it with a gluten-free blend or whole wheat flour, but keep in mind that the texture might vary a bit. If you’re looking to switch up the flavor, adding a splash of brandy or rum can give your cake a festive kick—just be sure to adjust the sugar a tad to keep it balanced!
And don’t forget about the baking time! Ovens can be tricky; if your cake isn’t baking evenly, it’s a good idea to rotate it halfway through. Lastly, if you’re wondering how to make it ahead of time, feel free to bake it a few days in advance. Just wrap it well and store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. Happy baking, friends!
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Easy Christmas Cake: 7 Festive Flavors to Savor
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious Christmas cake that you can make with ease.
Ingredients
- 200g mixed dried fruit
- 100g butter
- 150g sugar
- 3 eggs
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 100g chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a bowl, mix the dried fruit with chopped nuts.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and cinnamon; gradually add to the wet mixture.
- Fold in the fruit and nut mixture.
- Pour the batter into a greased cake tin.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool before serving.
Notes
- Store the cake in an airtight container.
- Can be decorated with icing or fruits.
- Best served after a day for flavors to develop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: easy christmas cake
