Christmas Fruit Cake/ Easy, Boiled Fruit Cake

Christmas Fruit cake preparation is something I look forward to, all year! The mesmerizing aroma of Christmas Fruit cake just lifts your mood to match the joy and cheer of the season. Soaking dry fruits is a favourite ritual at home before Christmas; a cherished time to revive my childhood Christmas memories!

After soaking the dry fruits for this Christmas, I was looking for new cake recipes to try, when my dear friend Seby insisted that I try this South African, Boiled Christmas Fruit cake recipe. This “no soak Christmas Fruit Cake recipe” was incredibly moist and loaded with rich fruits – a perfect start to the season of bakes and cakes! To set it aside for curing was a difficult task as everyone was looking forward to that first slice of ‘2020’ Christmas fruit cake. The aroma triggered our Christmas memories and maybe it was one of the reasons that the cake got over immediately after it was cut. The main reason – well, you saw my cake pic; Who can resist that delightfully rich, fruity, boozy, moist cake?

Usually, we soak the fruits weeks before Christmas. Honestly, I thought ‘only’ presoaking the fruits well in advance gives you the best results, but I was totally amazed how this turned out! This can also be called as ‘Boiled fruit cake’ – as the fruits are boiled well instead of soaking. The outcome was unbelievable! Packed with dry fruit and nuts, this cake is rich and since the measure of dry fruits to cake mix is high, it keeps the cake super moist as well. It is quite easy to prepare and it takes only little time to get the cake batter ready.

Thanks to Seby, we all thoroughly enjoyed this South African Christmas Fruit cake and I had to order more fruits to make again. I have customized the recipe to add more flavours and it came out superb. Hope you will enjoy this as much as we did. If you are looking for traditional recipes, do check my Traditional fruit cake and plum cake recipes. Also wander through my baking recipes- I am sure you will find many interesting picks like Rum Cake, Mahogany cake, Chocolate truffle, Dates and Banana cake, Carrot Apple cake, Honey Cake, Pineapple swiss roll, Black currant muffins, Chocolate chip cookies, Orange chocolate cake, Cornflakes cookies etc.

Please watch the video, subscribe, share, like and most importantly try this recipe and give me feedback. Looking forward to hearing from you. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and may the warmth and joy of Christmas fill your homes and hearts with loving memories and good spirits!!

Note:

• Adjust the measure of Cake Masala ingredients as per your requirement.
• I have used Brandy in this recipe. You may use Rum/ Sherry/ Wine as per your choice.
• Always rest the cake for two days at least, for curing (If you can resist the temptation). It helps to develop more flavours.

Ingredients for Cake Masala:

Ingredients for Christmas Fruit cake:

Watch Video Recipe

Method:

1. Measure all the ingredients.
2. Chop the cashews and cherries.
3. Prepare the cake masala by grinding all ingredients. Keep in an airtight container.

4. Grind the Brown Sugar to a fine powder.
5. Wash the raisins, sultanas, black currants and immediately drain.
6. This is to remove dirt and residue if any.
7. In a saucepan, mix sultanas, raisins and black currants.
8. Add 375 ml water to the pan.

9. Mix well and place on a stove.
10. Bring to a boil and cook the fruits for about 10 minutes.
11. Make sure the flame is on medium high.
12. After 10 minutes there will be only little water left.
13. Add butter (kept in room temperature) to the pan and switch off the flame.
14. Combine well till the butter melts and the fruits are soaked in the buttery concoction.
15. Keep aside and allow to cool completely.

16. Mix Plain Flour, Baking soda, Baking Powder, salt, Cake masala and Cocoa powder.
17. Sieve three to four times to mix well.
18. Grease the tins and line it with butter paper.
19. Again, grease and dust it with flour and keep ready.
20. You can use two small loaf tins or two 8-inch round tins.
21. Beat the eggs till light and fluffy. Add the powdered Brown Sugar and beat well.

22. Pour the dry fruits mix to the pan and mix well.
23. Now, mix the vanilla essence and Orange zest.
24. Little by little fold in half of the flour mix and combine well with the help of a spatula.
25. Now, add the cherries and cashew nuts. Fold well.
26. Add little Brandy to loosen the mix and add flour in batches.
27. Mix the remaining brandy and combine well.

28. Preheat the oven to 140^o C.
29. Pour the cake batter to the greased tins.Tap the tins to release air bubbles.

30. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes
31. Then change the temperature to 120^o C and bake again for 25- 35 minutes till the top part is brown and the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
32. Brush the top with some brandy to retain the moisture and for better preservation. Allow to cool.

It is advisable to cure it for two to three days for better results and flavour. Enjoy with your family and friends! Merry Christmas to all. God Bless!

Tips:

• Always make sure you have the correct measurements. (It is better to have weighing scales. or cake measuring cups, to get exact measures.
• Use good quality butter, Baking Powder and Baking Soda.
• This recipe is loaded with dry fruit and nuts. It makes the cake super moist.
• Tapping the pans will force any air bubbles to the surface, which can help avoid holes in your finished cake.
• Flour, baking powder, soda powder, cocoa powder, cake masala and salt should be mixed well. Sieve 3 -4 times to release air bubbles.
• You may add Rum, sherry or wine instead of Brandy.
• Always fill only half of the cake tins as fruit cakes require longer baking time.
• Use two loaf tins or two 8 inch round tins.

Hope you liked this Easy Christmas Fruit Cake recipe. Enjoy with family and friends. Please subscribe to my You tube channel and encourage me by commenting below or by sharing with your friends. God Bless and Merry Christmas to you all!