Christmas Cake recipe
Members see larger photos (free!)

By joining the BigOven community you'll see the big picture!

  


Christmas Cake

An excellent Christmas cake recipe passed down through many generations. Originates from Tring in Hertfordshire, England. Traditionally served at Christmas teatime.

[rate or comment]

Share this recipe on Facebook!

Servings: 20 Servings
Total Time (median): 4 : 30 Active Time: 1 : 00

US/Metric: [convert to metric]

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups raisins (12oz)
  • 2 cups currants (1lb)
  • 1 1/2 cups sultanas (12oz)
  • 1/2 cup almonds (4oz)
  • 3/4 cup mixed peel (6oz)
  • 1/2 cup glace/candied cherries (4oz)
  • rind of half a lemon and the juice of 1 lemon grated
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (12oz)
  • 1 3/4 cups moist brown sugar (12oz)
  • 6 eggs
  • 3 cups plain flour (12oz)
  • 1/2 level teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 level teaspoon nutmeg crushed
  • 1 level teaspoon mixed spice
  • 1 level tablespoon black treacle
  • 2 tablespoon Brandy least

Preparation

Grease a 9-10 inch tin.

Cream butter, sugar and grated lemon rind until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Mix dry ingredients together well.

Add to creamed butter etc.

Combine thoroughly.

Mix in the chosen alcohol and lemon juice (add a little extra if the mixture seems too stiff) to form a dropping consistency.

Turn into lined tin, ensure there are no pockets of air and the surface of the mixture is flat.

Tie a double band of brown paper around the tin - approximately 3 inches above the rim of the tin.

Place in oven one rung below the middle at 160 degrees centigrade.

Bake for 2 hours and then reduce heat to 150 degrees centigrade for a further 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Leave the cake to cool in the tin.

Remove paper and turn cake upside down and make holes with a steel knitting needle or cocktail stick.

Pour in extra spirit and leave cake upside down until the spirit has been absorbed.

Wrap the cake in fresh grease proof paper and leave for at least 48 hours before icing.

Before icing, the cake can be stored for up to 2 months wrapped in foil.

Keep "feeding" the cake with alcohol until you are ready to put almond icing and then royal icing onto it.


Recipe Links [add recipe link]

Christmas Cake Reviews

100% would make "Christmas Cake" again.

[add your review]

made this today and it looks and smells amazing thanks so much

CoggsCoggs :  :  1w 5d ago


danpadanpa :  :  13w 2d ago


[I posted this recipe.]

danpadanpa : : 4:30 total time : 1:00 active time :  1y 18w 3d ago


Adam.

adam_jack :  :  ago


Comment...

adam_jack :  :  ago


comment

adam_jack :  :  ago


comment

adam_jack :  :  ago


Submit Your Review : Christmas Cake

Once we validate your email, your comment is published here and emailed to the person who posted this recipe.

  •  h :   m   (optional; recipe start-to-finish)

  •  h :   m   (optional; your "working" time)



  • It may take up to ten minutes to see new comments.
    This helps speed up our website. Thanks!

Bloggers, have you written about "Christmas Cake"?  Add your link to this page.

Import Into BigOven (BGO)