This easy to make Christmas cake is the best! The secret to success is baking it on a low temperature for longer. This makes two cakes - halve the recipe if you only want one but it is worth making two!
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Reviews
137
What did you think of this recipe?
Megan
Best Christmas cake recipe ,so easy to make and tastes beautiful !!
5
Liz
Hi, anybody else have an issue with only heating the mixture for 2 minutes? My element wasn't even hot after 2 minutes so didn't do much to the mixture at all. In fact the mixture was still cold. Is the desired effect to just have the butter melted and incorporated? Thanks.CHELSEA SUGAR: Hi there, we recommend heating for 2 minutes once your element has warmed up. Yes, the idea is just to heat the mixture enough to melt the butter and incorporate everything together nicely.
5
Katie
Would this recipe be suitable for making mini Christmas cakes? Thanks :)CHELSEA SUGAR: Hi there, yes it is!
5
Donna
Just wondering how this recipe would go in cupcake tins how long would they need to cook. Would make amazing Christmas presents for colleague's and friends.
5
Sue Brouwer
Would love to try this recipe Can I replace the sherry with juice rather than use alcohol?CHELSEA: Hi there, yes you can use juice instead of alcohol. The cake might not keep for quite as long though.
4
Sally B
I have made this recipe for several years. Every year I say I'm going to branch out and try something else but when it comes to cake making time, I can't bring myself to risk trying another recipe! Last year I made this cake with Irish Whisky (who has sherry anymore?!) and I loved it. I always get rave reviews and requests for this cake from friends so last year made a second batch gluten free - also fab!
5
Unknown
Just made this Christmas cake. It is better than any brought one. I made 2 out of the recipe so I will cut the ingredients in 1/2 next time. This is the only cake I will be baking in the future. A1
5
Sneh D
Does it really matter if packet mix of dried fruit has expired ? This recipe by far seems to be the easiest one.Chelsea Sugar:For best results it is best to use products that have not passed their expiry dates.
3
Pauline
Can I use molasses in place of treacle please?CHELSEA SUGAR:Yes Pauline! Happy Baking!
Heat Tararua Butter, Chelsea White Sugar, fruit, sherry, spice, Edmonds Baking Soda and Chelsea Golden Syrup in a large saucepan. Heat over a medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Allow to cool fully (at least 1 hour).
Heat oven to 125°C conventional bake. Grease 2 x deep 20cm round tins (or 2 x regular 30cm tins) and triple line with baking paper, ensuring the paper extends up the sides beyond the tin.
Beat eggs and stir through cooled fruit mixture. Sift dry ingredients and fold into fruit mixture with orange zest.
Spoon into tins, bake for approximately 3 -3 ½ hours or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Decorate once cool.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Wrap in tin foil, and then cheesecloth. Will keep for at least a year and stays deliciously moist.
Note We have updated this recipe to make it easier to bake by spreading it across two cake tins. You can still make it as one cake, just use a larger tin and allow for a longer cooking time (approximately 4 hrs) and check it regularly.
Additional tips
Place a double layer of baking paper across top of tin to prevent cake browning too quickly (avoiding contact with cake mixture).
Best Christmas cake recipe ,so easy to make and tastes beautiful !!
5
Liz
Hi, anybody else have an issue with only heating the mixture for 2 minutes? My element wasn't even hot after 2 minutes so didn't do much to the mixture at all. In fact the mixture was still cold. Is the desired effect to just have the butter melted and incorporated? Thanks.CHELSEA SUGAR: Hi there, we recommend heating for 2 minutes once your element has warmed up. Yes, the idea is just to heat the mixture enough to melt the butter and incorporate everything together nicely.
5
Katie
Would this recipe be suitable for making mini Christmas cakes? Thanks :)CHELSEA SUGAR: Hi there, yes it is!
5
Donna
Just wondering how this recipe would go in cupcake tins how long would they need to cook. Would make amazing Christmas presents for colleague's and friends.
5
Sue Brouwer
Would love to try this recipe Can I replace the sherry with juice rather than use alcohol?CHELSEA: Hi there, yes you can use juice instead of alcohol. The cake might not keep for quite as long though.
4
Sally B
I have made this recipe for several years. Every year I say I'm going to branch out and try something else but when it comes to cake making time, I can't bring myself to risk trying another recipe! Last year I made this cake with Irish Whisky (who has sherry anymore?!) and I loved it. I always get rave reviews and requests for this cake from friends so last year made a second batch gluten free - also fab!
5
Unknown
Just made this Christmas cake. It is better than any brought one. I made 2 out of the recipe so I will cut the ingredients in 1/2 next time. This is the only cake I will be baking in the future. A1
5
Sneh D
Does it really matter if packet mix of dried fruit has expired ? This recipe by far seems to be the easiest one.Chelsea Sugar:For best results it is best to use products that have not passed their expiry dates.
3
Pauline
Can I use molasses in place of treacle please?CHELSEA SUGAR:Yes Pauline! Happy Baking!