The perfect Christmasy Fruit Cake
This Christmas Fruit Cake will soon become your favorite. These are the top reasons why we like it so much:
- there's a delicious bomb of flavor and textures in each bite
- the spices are festive and perfect for wintertime
- with a subtle tropical aroma thanks to the Fruit in cubes from Teta Frida - this makes this cake unique
- made without eggs or butter
- we can easily make this recipe vegan (more info below)
- keeps and freezes well
- beautiful homemade gift
How to make Christmas Fruit Cake at home
Christmas Fruit Cake takes about 15 active minutes to make. It bakes for longer than an hour, so we recommend making it a day ahead. The preparation itself is divided into two parts. First, we make the Fruit Cake, and then we make the glaze to make it shiny and festive. You can find the whole method and ingredients list below; here is just an overview of the recipe.
- In a small bowl, stir to combine the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
- Stir together the fruits, nuts, and chocolate in a large bowl.
- Combine all ingredients into a fruit cake batter.
- Line a baking dish with paper, then fill with the batter.
- Bake.
- While the cake is still warm, gently brush with the homemade glaze.
Essential ingredients and substitutes
Here you can find more information about the ingredients and possible substitutes. This recipe is made without eggs and butter, and it can easily be made vegan. In that case, substitute the milk with plant-based milk, like almond milk.
Brown sugar - we love using light-packed Muscavado sugar because it adds a lovely caramel aroma.
Teta Frida Fruit in Cubes - they are essential in this recipe. We used all of their three flavors, mango passion fruit, strawberry banana, and raspberry cranberry, in dark chocolate. Optionally you can only use one flavor. However, if those aren't available in your country, feel free to use candied fruit of your liking.
Raisins - add a bit of natural fruity sweetness. Optionally add dried cranberries.
Chocolate - dark chocolate is the way to go in this recipe. Use chopped chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
Nuts - we love using a combination of nuts and almonds but feel free to use pecans, walnuts, or other nuts too.
Fruit in cubes - Teta Frida
Fruit in cubes is a fantastic fruit snack from a popular Slovenian brand called Teta Frida. It's a 100% all-natural snack made of concentrated fruit and fruit juices. It is free of artificial colors and preservatives and high dietary fiber intake. You can either grab it as a quick snack for a bit of energy booster or add it to fruit cakes and bread recipes. It comes in three different flavors: mango passion fruit, strawberry banana, and raspberry cranberry in dark chocolate.
You can read more about the brand and its products on their website.
Storing and freezing
Feel free to store this Christmas Fruit Cake in two ways.
We recommend making it a day ahead. Keep the whole loaf or separate slices wrapped in clingfilm or an airtight container at a dark place, at room temperature, for up to 3 weeks.
We can easily freeze this Christmas Fruit Cake too. Freeze the whole loaf or separate slices. Keep them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Before serving, defrost by bringing to room temperature.
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METHOD
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preparation
Place the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 160 °C / 320 °F. Line a 20 cm x 10 cm (8-inch x 4-inch) deep baking dish with parchment paper with a few inches (or centimeters) of overhang off the sides.
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dry and wet ingredients
In a small bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, unsweetened cacao powder, and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, combine lukewarm milk, brown sugar, and spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg) with a whisk.
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combine fruits, nuts and chocolate
In a large bowl, combine Teta Frida fruit in cubes mango passion fruit, Teta Frida fruit in cubes raspberry cranberry in dark chocolate, and Teta Frida fruit in cubes strawberry banana. Add the raisins, prunes, dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, orange zest, lemon zest, and rum.
TipIf you can't find Teta Frida products in your country feel free to use other candied fruits. -
bake
Pour wet and dry ingredients into a bowl with fruits. Using a spatula, stir to combine, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly with a spatula. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes at 160 °C / 320 °F. After 50 minutes of baking, cover the cake with aluminum foil - make sure the foil doesn't touch the food.
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serve
Make the apricot glaze. Add apricot marmalade, sugar, and water into a saucepan. Place over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and then simmer for 2 minutes. Brush the glaze over the warm fruit cake, then set it aside to cool to room temperature. Cut the fruit cake into thin slices, then serve.
