Grandmas Christmas Cake Recipe
Grandmas Christmas Cake Recipe is a traditional fruitcake filled with soaked sultanas, currants, dried apricots, and warm spices. The batter combines butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and optional nuts, baked slowly to retain moisture. Brushing the cooled cake with rum or brandy enhances flavor, creating a rich, festive, and timeless holiday treat.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9-inch round cake tin
- Baking parchment
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Fruit Soak Mixture
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1 cup currants
- ¾ cup dried apricots finely chopped
- 1 cup mixed candied peel chopped
- ½ cup dried cherries or cranberries
- ½ cup dark rum or orange juice
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- ½ cup brandy
Cake Batter
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1 cup plain flour
- 10 oz margarine softened
Optional Add Ins
- ½ cup chopped nuts walnuts, pecans, or almonds
- Extra rum or brandy for brushing after baking
Instructions
Soak The Fruit (Best Done The Night Before)
- Mix together the sultanas, currants, apricots, candied peel, cherries or cranberries, orange zest, rum or juice, and a splash of brandy in a large bowl. Give it a good stir, cover it, and leave it to sit overnight so the fruit becomes soft and plump.
Get The Oven And Tin Ready
- Set the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line your cake tin with baking parchment, covering both the base and the sides.
Cream The Fats And Sugar
- Beat the butter, margarine, and sugar together until the mixture turns light in colour and fluffy.
Add The Eggs
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. If the mixture looks like it’s starting to split, stir in a spoonful of flour to bring it back together.
Mix In The Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Add this to your main mixture and combine gently.
Add Milk, Vanilla, And Fruit
- Pour in the milk and vanilla. Fold through the soaked fruit include any leftover soaking liquid and add nuts if you’re using them.
Bake The Cake
- Spoon the thick batter into your prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake for about 2 to 2¼ hours, or until a skewer pushed into the centre comes out clean.
Cool And Finish With Rum
- Let the cake cool in the tin for about 20 minutes, then move it to a rack. While it’s still warm, brush the top with a little extra rum or brandy for moisture and flavour. Once completely cool, wrap it up tightly.