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Traditional English Christmas cake with candied fruits

English Christmas cake with candied fruit

Desserts

A traditional British Christmas cake, featuring dried fruits soaked in sherry and cognac, baked slowly and then soaked in alcohol. It should be prepared s…

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Recipe from Kittycataclysm, Mcld, Jdforrester and 4 other contributors, adapted by Recette de cuisine ·

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The Christmas cake is a fruitcake made with candied fruits, soaked in sherry and cognac before being baked slowly. It is prepared in advance and can be stored for a long time.

Ingredients and directions

  • Prep time1 hr
  • Cook time5 hr
  • Total6 hr
  • DifficultyMedium
  • CostModerate
  • Cooking methodMarinating followed by slow cooking in the oven
  • Estimated cost$37.36 $3.74 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 15, 2026.
  • Vegetarian

Ingredients

10 people
  • $18.07
  • $1.63
  • $3.52
  • $1.53
  • $3.67
  • $2.03
  • $1.60
  • $1.03
  • $1.44
  • $0.16
  • $0.32
  • $0.92
  • $1.44

Prices from US supermarkets for 9 of 13 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.

Directions

  1. Place all the fruits in a large salad bowl and pour the alcohols over them. ≈ 3 min
  2. Cover with aluminum foil and store in a cool place. ≈ 3 min
  3. Mix and stir the fruit daily for at least three days. After two weeks, most of the alcohol will have been absorbed, and a longer soaking time will not yield any further results. ≈ 4 min
  4. Let’s defeat sugar, margarine, and eggs together. ≈ 4 min
  5. Add the almonds and molasses, then mix again. ≈ 4 min
  6. Sift the flour and spices together, mixing until a smooth dough forms. ≈ 2 min
  7. Add the prepared fruit and pour everything into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. ≈ 3 min
  8. Bake at a low temperature (140 °C, thermostat 1) for at least 4 hours, up to 5 hours depending on your oven.
  9. As soon as a knife inserted into the cake comes out clean, take the cake out of the oven and let it cool completely.
  10. Stored in an airtight container, the cake will last for at least four months. ≈ 3 min

The bill

English Christmas cake with candied fruit

  • 600 g of dried currants$18.07
  • 400 g of Smyrna grapes (sultanas)$1.63
  • 400 g of candied cherries, cut into quarters$3.52
  • 200 g of grapes$1.53
  • 10 cl of cognac$3.67
  • 5 cl of cherry liqueur (or rum)$2.03
  • 4 eggs$1.60
  • 300 g of soft, slightly salted margarine (or butter)$1.03
  • 300 g of dark brown sugar$1.44
  • 100 g of yeast flour$0.16
  • 200 g of flour$0.32
  • 100 g of finely chopped almonds$0.92
  • 2 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses$1.44

Total$37.36

that's $3.74 per person

Estimated price; varies by store.

Equipment

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Before you start

Ingredients

  • 600 g of dried currants
  • 400 g of Smyrna grapes (sultanas)
  • 400 g of candied cherries, cut into quarters
  • 200 g of grapes
  • 100 g of candied citrus peel, chopped
  • 20 cl of sherry
  • 10 cl of cognac
  • 5 cl of cherry liqueur (or rum)
  • 4 eggs
  • 300 g of soft, slightly salted margarine (or butter)
  • 300 g of dark brown sugar
  • 100 g of yeast flour
  • 200 g of flour
  • 100 g of finely chopped almonds
  • 2 tablespoons of mixed spices
  • 2 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses

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