Our Very Best Christmas Cakes
A delightful fusion of rich butter, fragrant spices, and colorful dried fruits make this Christmas cake a perfect centerpiece for your festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour blends.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger for a spicy version.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt Reduce if using salted butter.
Wet ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Richness can be substituted with salted butter.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs For a vegan version, use flax eggs.
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Vanilla bean paste is a great alternative.
Mix-ins
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit Use favorites like raisins, cranberries, or apricots.
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- Powdered sugar for dusting Adds a beautiful finish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a cake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the mixed dried fruit and chopped nuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
Baking
- Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
Finishing Touches
- Once cool, dust the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Use measuring precision for best results.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 180mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!