Description
Festive magic fills kitchens when Christmas Cake emerges from traditional British ovens, promising rich layers of candied fruits and warm spices. Sweet memories blend with holiday cheer, inviting you to savor a slice of seasonal comfort that connects generations through delicious celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Leavening Agents:
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Assemble dry ingredients by combining flour, leavening agents, warm spices, and seasoning in a mixing vessel, ensuring thorough integration of all powder components.
- Cream softened butter with granulated sweetener until the mixture achieves a pale, airy consistency, incorporating eggs individually to maintain smooth texture.
- Introduce vanilla essence for aromatic enhancement, then gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with cultured dairy liquid to prevent overworking the batter.
- Prepare baking vessels by applying protective coating of fat and flour, distributing cake mixture evenly to ensure uniform depth and consistent baking potential.
- Position cake layers in preheated thermal environment, monitoring doneness through precise testing method involving thin wooden implement inserted near central region.
- Allow thermal-processed layers to stabilize and cool completely, facilitating structural integrity and preventing premature frosting application.
- Craft smooth, velvety confectionary coating by whipping dairy fat until silken, gradually integrating powdered sweetener and moisture-enhancing dairy cream.
- Construct multi-layered confection by positioning initial disk, applying creamy layer, then carefully positioning secondary disk with strategic precision.
- Execute delicate crumb-sealing technique through thin frosting application, followed by brief chilling period to establish stable foundation.
- Complete visual presentation by enrobing entire construct with luxurious frosting, creating elegant surface textural elements.
- Embellish with botanical-inspired sugar sculptures, strategically placing crystalline spheres to evoke festive woodland imagery.
- Finalize decorative approach by dusting with ethereal white powder and incorporating luminescent accents for celebratory sparkle.
Notes
- Soak dried fruits overnight in rum or brandy for deeper, richer flavor infusion that elevates the entire cake’s taste profile.
- Add a tablespoon of applesauce or sour cream to prevent dryness, ensuring a tender and soft cake texture that melts in your mouth.
- Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining the cake’s delightful structure while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Chill cake layers before frosting to minimize crumbs and create a smoother, more professional decorative finish that looks bakery-worthy.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 86mg