CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE
Published Dec 04, 2018
Updated Dec 17, 2024
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Here is my take on a Christmas Fruit Cake. The cake is buttery, fruity, and so Christmassy!
And when I say fruity, I mean it is practically a fruit party in the mouth loaded with raisins, shredded coconut (my fave!), freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest. These flavors pair well together yielding a fruity taste that is to die for.
However feel free to use other dried fruits you can lay your hands on so you can make it even more Christmassy! Just make sure all the fruits you use in this recipe don’t go above one cup. That way the fruits are not more than needed.
I really wanted to make a Christmas Fruit Cake without alcohol. Most online recipes call for rum. A boozy cake is not my thing but if you want a boozy cake then feel free to substitute the orange juice for rum in this recipe.
Here is a tip for you: make this Christmas Fruit Cake way ahead of time for Christmas then wrap it with a plastic wrap and keep in the freezer. Take it out to thaw on Christmas morning for an easy breezy Christmas treat!
Another tip for you: serve these beignets for Christmas morning breakfast. They are to die for!
How to Make a Christmas Fruit Cake
Here is a rundown of how to make a Christmas Fruit Cake:
1. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
2. Add eggs, orange juice, orange zest then mix together until just combined.
3. Add flour, baking powder, grated (or ground) nutmeg and salt then mix until just combined.
4. Fold in raisins and shredded coconut plus other dried fruits if using.
5. Place batter in a greased pan and level the top.
6. Place in a preheated oven to bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
When your cake cools completely, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top if desired then slice up and serve.
Christmas Fruit Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup butter – softened at room temp (2 sticks or approx 226g)
- ยฝ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
- ยฝ cup brown sugar
- ยฝ cup raisins
- ยฝ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange)
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon ground/grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees C). Rub a 9-inch baking pan with some of the butter then dust the pan with some of the flour.
- Place sugar and butter in a bowl then cream together until fluffy. I use an electric mixer to ensure it turns out fluffy with me sweating me out with my hands (it is quite a workout!) However if you do not have a mixer, use a fork to cream them together.
- Add the eggs, orange zest and orange juice then mix until just combined.
- Add the nutmeg then sieve in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined and you can’t see any more flour but be careful not to overmix. Add the raisins and coconut then gently fold in until just combined.
- Pour the batter into prepared pan and level the top. Place in preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi Precious,
this recipe has been slept on, I have been doing it EVERY christmas since you post it and it is always a HIT. It is a perfect not-too-sweet kind of cake, way less fuss than making cinammon rolls which makes life easier tbh. You should make a video on this.
Greetings xx
Thank you so much for taking time to share, Maria! This was very encouraging to hear!
You make it easy with your detailed explanation.
Awww thank you friend.
Love following all your recipes, just wanna say they are all fantastic
Thank you so much!