Nigella’s Italian Christmas Cake Recipe: A Festive Holiday Delight

Crafting a festive nigellas italian christmas cake brings joy to every holiday gathering.

Sweet aromas of almonds and citrus will drift through your kitchen.

Seasonal spices blend perfectly with rich, moist ingredients.

Delicate textures promise a memorable dessert that celebrates traditional italian baking techniques.

Generations of culinary passion shine through this spectacular treat.

Family connections emerge when you slice into this delightful confection.

Let’s create something magical that will become your new holiday tradition.

What Makes Nigella’s Cake a Christmas Classic

• Quick and Easy Baking: Whip up this festive cake with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Luxurious Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich chocolate chunks, candied peel, dried fruits, and warm spices, creating a decadent dessert that wows taste buds.
• Holiday Showstopper Dessert: Elevate your Christmas table with a stunning cake that looks professionally decorated yet feels homemade and heartwarming.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for family gatherings, festive parties, or cozy winter evenings, this cake brings joy and deliciousness to any celebration.

Cinnamon Sugar Cutout Cookies Ingredients

• Flour: Provides the base structure for the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light.
• Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that add rich holiday flavor.

• Butter: Softened and creamy for a rich texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor.
• Milk: Keeps the cake moist.

• Dried Fruits, Candied Peel: Adds sweetness and festive texture.
• Almonds, Chocolate Chunks: Provide crunch and richness.

• Heavy Cream, Dark Chocolate Chips: Create smooth, glossy chocolate glaze.
• Dried Orange Slices, Star Anise: Decorative and aromatic toppings.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, snowy finish.

Baking Guide for Nigella’s Italian Christmas Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab your 9-inch round cake pan and give it a loving coating of grease, then line it with parchment paper for a smooth release.

Step 2: Mix Dry Treasures

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Nutmeg
• Ground ginger

Blend these spices until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 3: Create the Batter Magic

• Dried fruits
• Candied peel
• Chopped almonds
• Chocolate chunks

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Craft the Chocolate Glaze

Gently warm heavy cream in a saucepan (avoid boiling). Drop in dark chocolate chips and stir until you have a silky smooth glaze.

Step 6: Dress Up Your Masterpiece

• Dried orange slices
• Whole almonds
• Star anise

Finish with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar.

Cake Tips That Follow Nigella’s Italian Holiday Style

• Prevent Fruit Sinking: Toss dried fruits in a light coating of flour before adding to the batter to help them stay suspended evenly throughout the cake.
• Moisture Magic: Add a splash of brandy or rum to the dried fruits before mixing to enhance flavor and keep the cake incredibly moist and rich.
• Temperature Trick: Let ingredients like eggs and butter come to room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even baking.
• Chocolate Chunk Control: Chop chocolate into smaller, uniform pieces to distribute more evenly and prevent large chocolate pockets in the cake.
• Glaze Perfection: Let the cake cool completely before drizzling chocolate glaze to prevent it from sliding off and ensure a beautiful, smooth finish.

Preserving Nigellas Italian Christmas Cake

• Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap cake completely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days in a sealed container. Place a piece of bread inside to help retain moisture.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, warm in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore original texture and bring out rich flavors.

Hamburger Potato Soup Companions

• Pair with Sweet Fortified Wine: Indulge in a glass of rich, sweet Port wine from Portugal, matching the cake's deep chocolate and fruit notes perfectly.
• Complement with Spiced Espresso: Brew a robust Italian espresso with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, echoing the cake's warm spice profile and enhancing its complex flavors.
• Match with Roasted Nut Liqueur: Select a creamy amaretto or hazelnut liqueur that harmonizes with the cake's nutty undertones and chocolate richness, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Enhance with Citrus-Infused Digestif: Enjoy a chilled limoncello that cuts through the cake's sweetness and provides a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the dense, fruity texture.

Brown Sugar Cutout Cookie Twists

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour to create a celiac-friendly cake without compromising taste or texture.
• Vegan Christmas Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and milk with almond milk. Use dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar. Reduce the amount of dried fruits to lower overall sugar content while maintaining rich flavor.
• Nut-Free Option: Remove almonds and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Ensure chocolate chunks are from a nut-free manufacturer for those with allergies.

FAQs

• What makes this Christmas cake different from traditional British fruit cakes?

This Italian-style Christmas cake has a richer, more decadent flavor profile with added chocolate chunks and a smooth chocolate glaze, making it more indulgent than classic fruit cakes.

• Can I substitute the dried fruits in the recipe?

Yes, you can swap dried fruits based on availability. Try using a mix of raisins, currants, and dried cranberries that match the total weight in the original recipe.

• Is this cake suitable for people with nut allergies?

No, the recipe contains almonds. If you have a nut allergy, you’ll need to omit the almonds or replace them with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

• How long can this cake be made in advance?

You can prepare this cake up to 3-4 days before serving. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its moisture and flavor.

Nigellas Italian Christmas Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Rich golden crumbs of Nigella’s Italian Christmas Cake invite winter warmth with Mediterranean spices and festive charm. Delicate layers meld traditional Italian baking with subtle seasonal notes, promising a delightful slice of holiday celebration you’ll savor with each tender bite.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (210 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) dried mixed fruit (cranberries, raisins, cherries)
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) candied orange peel, chopped
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) almonds, chopped
• 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by generously coating a 9-inch round pan with butter and lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a fragrant dry mixture.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream softened butter and rich brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, developing a smooth texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky consistency.
5. Gently pour vanilla extract and milk into the batter, stirring until perfectly integrated.
6. Gradually fold the spiced flour mixture into the wet ingredients, using delicate circular motions to prevent overmixing and maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
7. Tenderly fold dried fruits, candied citrus peel, chopped almonds, and decadent chocolate chunks throughout the batter, distributing ingredients evenly.
8. Transfer the voluminous batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer.
9. Slide the pan into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, monitoring until a slender toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
10. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully release and transfer to a wire cooling rack.
11. For the luxurious glaze, warm heavy cream in a saucepan without allowing it to boil, then introduce dark chocolate chips and stir until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
12. Once the cake has completely cooled, drizzle the chocolate glaze artfully across the surface.
13. Embellish the cake with dried orange slices, scattered almonds, and aromatic star anise, creating a visually stunning presentation.
14. Conclude by dusting the cake with a delicate veil of powdered sugar, adding a final touch of elegance.

Notes

• Ensure butter is truly softened at room temperature for seamless mixing and creating a light, airy texture.
• Carefully fold fruits and nuts gently to prevent deflating the cake batter and maintain its delicate structure.
• Chop chocolate and fruits uniformly for even distribution and consistent flavor in every bite.
• Consider using gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the cake’s rich, festive taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg