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CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE

Description: Irish Christmas fruit cake is a traditional dessert packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices, often enjoyed during the festive season. It’s a dense, rich cake that gets better with age.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 3-3.5 hours

Serving size: 10-12 Servings


Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon and 1 orange
  • ½ cup ground almonds
  • 3 cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel)
  • ½ cup chopped mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds)
  • 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey (optional)

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake tin with parchment paper.

  2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.

  3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

  4. Gradually add the beaten eggs to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the lemon and orange zest and juice.

  5. Gently fold in the ground almonds, mixed dried fruits, and chopped nuts until evenly distributed. Add the Irish whiskey if using and mix until combined.

  6. Gradually fold in the sifted dry ingredients into the fruit mixture, ensuring it’s fully incorporated but avoiding overmixing.

  7. Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula.

  8. Place the cake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

  9. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 15-20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

  10. Once cooled, you can store the cake in an airtight container. For optimal flavor, wrap the cake in parchment paper or cheesecloth and store it in a cool, dark place for a few days before serving. This allows the flavors to mature and develop.

This traditional Irish Christmas fruit cake is perfect when sliced and enjoyed with a cup of tea or served as a festive dessert.