Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe 🎂✨

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 Ingredients:

250 g unsalted butter, softened

250 g brown sugar

4 large eggs

250 g all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp ground ginger

100 ml orange juice

Zest of 1 orange

500 g mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas, chopped dates, and cherries)

100 g chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts – optional)

2 tbsp dark rum or brandy (optional, can replace with orange juice)



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Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Line an 8-inch round cake tin with parchment paper.


2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.


3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.


4. Stir in orange zest and juice.


5. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and spices.


6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix gently.


7. Fold in dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.


8. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top.


9. Bake for 2 to 2½ hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.


10. Allow to cool completely in the tin.


11. Optional: Brush the cooled cake with rum or brandy, then wrap it in parchment and foil to mature for a few days or weeks for deeper flavor.




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Decoration Ideas:

Cover with marzipan and fondant icing, then decorate with snowflakes, holly leaves, or a red ribbon.

Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

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