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Christmas Fruit Cake with Brandy

Delightful Christmas Fruit Cake with Brandy for the Holidays

This Christmas Fruit Cake with Brandy is a heartfelt tradition of moist fruits and crunchy nuts, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Aging Time 2 days
Total Time 2 days 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Traditional
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 cup Almonds Can substitute with pecans if desired.
  • 1 cup Walnuts Can replace with any preferred nut.
  • 1 cup Dark Raisins Use sultanas if unavailable.
  • 1 cup Light Raisins Substitutable with golden raisins.
  • 1 cup Candied Orange Peel Can substitute with candied lemon peel.
  • 1 cup Candied Cherries Use dried cherries for a less sweet cake.
  • 1 cup Zante Currants Raisins can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 each Lemon (zest and juice) Essential for flavor.
  • 1 cup Brandy Can substitute with whiskey, bourbon, sherry, or rum.
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour Can use cake flour for a lighter crumb.
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder Ensure it’s fresh for best results.
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon Adjust to personal taste preferences.
  • 1 teaspoon Nutmeg Adjust to personal taste preferences.
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger Adjust to personal taste preferences.
  • 1 teaspoon Table Salt Use sea salt if preferred.
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter Can substitute with margarine.
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar Use white sugar as an alternative for lighter sweetness.
  • 4 large Eggs Room temperature is ideal.

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • 9"x3" Cake Pan
  • electric mixer
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine almonds, walnuts, dark raisins, light raisins, candied orange peel, candied cherries, and Zante currants. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and zest, along with the brandy. Stir well to ensure everything is coated, then cover the bowl and let it soak overnight at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
  2. The next day, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9"x3" cake pan by greasing it lightly with butter and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and the spices. Use a whisk to ensure there are no lumps. Set this dry mixture aside.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the eggs, two at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Fold in the soaked fruits and any remaining soaking liquid gently. Be careful not to overmix.
  6. Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Once the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Pour additional brandy over the warm cake, then wrap it tightly to age for at least 4 weeks at room temperature.
  8. When ready to serve, unwrap your aged Christmas Fruit Cake. You can ice it with marzipan and fondant or enjoy it plain.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Allow the fruits and nuts to soak overnight for optimal flavor enhancement. The aging process is key to developing rich flavors.

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