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Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

Easy Christmas Cake Traybake
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This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake is a festive, moist, and flavorful cake filled with warm spices, mixed dried fruits, and a tender crumb. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it is quick and simple to make, ideal for sharing, and stays deliciously moist for days. Adaptable for various dietary needs, this traybake combines classic Christmas flavors with an easy baking method to bring joy and warmth to any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

  • 200g mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries)

Spices

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice

Main Ingredients

  • 150g unsalted butter, softened
  • 150g brown sugar
  • 225g self-raising flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 100ml milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dried Fruits: Soak the mixed dried fruits in warm tea or orange juice for at least 30 minutes to plump them up and add extra flavor, ensuring a moist bite in the final cake.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, which creates a tender and flavorful cake base.
  3. Add Eggs and Zest: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate air for lightness, then stir in the orange zest to infuse fresh citrus aroma.
  4. Sift Dry Ingredients and Spices: Sift the self-raising flour together with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, then gently fold them into the wet mixture to maintain a light batter while evenly distributing the spices.
  5. Mix in Soaked Fruits and Milk: Drain the soaked fruits (reserving some liquid if desired) and fold them into the batter along with the milk, which adjusts the consistency and keeps the cake moist.
  6. Bake: Pour the batter into a greased or lined traybake tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the baked traybake to cool slightly in the tin before transferring to a wire rack; this resting time helps firm the texture and enhance the flavors.

Notes

  • Soaking dried fruits overnight intensifies flavor and adds moisture.
  • Use butter and eggs at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • Fold in the flour gently to avoid a dense cake and keep it tender.
  • Test doneness with a toothpick or skewer before the baking time ends to prevent overbaking.
  • Use fresh, high-quality spices for the best Christmas aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cake, traybake, festive dessert, dried fruit cake, holiday baking, spiced cake, easy Christmas recipe

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/easy-christmas-cake-traybake/