Traditional English Christmas Cake - Rich, Moist & Delicious (PART 1 OF 3)

It’s that time of year again, and there’s nothing like a traditional English Christmas cake to capture the flavors of the season. Join us in this first episode of a three-part series as Julie shares her time-tested process for making an authentic English Christmas cake. Over the next few weeks, she’ll guide you from soaking the fruits in brandy through to the final baking and decorating stages, helping you bring a rich, moist, and deeply flavorful Christmas cake to your holiday table. This is the same recipe Julie has made for over 30 years, perfected with her own tips and a few secrets, so you know it will turn out just right. If you’re ready to create a true English holiday classic with us, follow along as we build a cake that’s meant to bring joy, warmth, and a bit of holiday magic to your home.

00:00 - Introduction and Story Behind the Recipe
01:10 - Ingredients Overview
01:39 - Adding Brandy to the Fruit
02:08 - Preparing Glacé Cherries
02:29 - Stirring and Combining Ingredients
03:05 - Tips for Marinating Time
03:50 - Wrapping Up Part One

Ingredients List
FOR THE 23 CM (9 INCH) CAKE
1kg mixed dried fruit (220g sultanas, 220g raisins, 500g currants, 60g mixed peel)
8 tablespoons brandy
60g glacé cherries, quartered g unsalted butter, softened

FOR THE 15 CM (6 INCH) CAKE
500 g mixed dried fruit (100g sultanas, 100g raisins, 260g currants, 40g mixed peel)
5 tablespoons brandy
40g glacé cherries, quartered g unsalted butter, softened

Instructions
Prepare the Fruit
Begin by measuring out your mixed dried fruit. You can use a pre-packaged mix, which often includes sultanas, raisins, and mixed peel.

Add Brandy
Pour brandy over the fruit mixture. Julie uses about 8 tablespoons—more than the traditional five—for a richer flavor. Feel free to adjust to your taste, adding less or more brandy as desired.

Prepare the Glacé Cherries
Slice the glacé cherries into quarters. These add a pop of color and texture to the cake, balancing the dried fruits.

Combine Everything
Stir all the ingredients together to ensure the fruit is evenly coated with brandy.

Cover and Marinate
Cover the mixture with a clean tea towel and leave it on the countertop. Let it marinate for 24 hours, or even a few days if you prefer a deeper infusion of flavors. Every so often, give the mixture a gentle stir to ensure the brandy soaks into all the fruit.

See you in Episode 2 - Ciao Ciao for Now!

#ChristmasCake #EnglishChristmasCake #TraditionalRecipes #HolidayBaking #Fruitcake #BrandyCake #FestiveBaking #ChristmasCountdown #HomeBaking #JulieBakes #TortellinoTime #BakingWithLove #MoistFruitcake #tortellino ortellino