Make your holiday season sweeter with our traditional Christmas cake recipe featuring rich black treacle. Follow our easy steps for a delicious treat.
Are you looking for a traditional Christmas cake recipe that will impress your guests this holiday season? Look no further than this recipe featuring the rich and indulgent flavor of black treacle. Not only does this cake have a deliciously moist texture, but the addition of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice will transport your taste buds straight to the holiday season. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure your cake turns out perfectly every time.
Introduction
The traditional Christmas cake is an integral part of the festive season. It is a rich, fruity cake that is typically made with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. One of the key ingredients in this cake is black treacle, which gives it a deep, rich flavor. In this article, we will be sharing a recipe for making a traditional Christmas cake with black treacle.
Ingredients
Cake Mix
- 500g mixed dried fruit
- 100g glacé cherries, chopped
- 150g plain flour
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 150g unsalted butter, softened
- 150g dark brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp black treacle
- 100ml brandy or whisky
Icing
- 500g marzipan
- 500g white ready-to-roll icing
- 1 egg white
Instructions
Step 1: Soak the fruit
The first step in making a traditional Christmas cake is to soak the dried fruit in brandy or whiskey. This will help to plump up the fruit and infuse it with flavor. Place the mixed dried fruit and glacé cherries in a large bowl and pour over the brandy or whisky. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave to soak overnight.
Step 2: Prepare the tin
Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas Mark 2. Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper. Cut an extra strip of paper to go around the sides of the tin, which should be about twice the height of the tin. This will help to protect the cake from over-browning during cooking.
Step 3: Make the cake mix
Sift together the flour, mixed spice, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the black treacle.
Step 4: Mix the cake ingredients
Gradually fold in the sifted dry ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Add the soaked fruit and any remaining liquid to the cake mix, and stir well to combine. Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and level the surface with a spatula.
Step 5: Bake the cake
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 3-4 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover it with foil. Once cooked, remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool completely in the tin.
Step 6: Prepare the icing
When the cake is completely cool, it’s time to prepare the icing. Roll out the marzipan into a circle large enough to cover the top of the cake. Brush the surface of the cake with a little apricot jam, then place the marzipan on top and smooth it over the surface of the cake.
Step 7: Apply the finishing touch
Roll out the ready-to-roll icing into a circle large enough to cover the entire cake. Brush the surface of the marzipan with egg white, then place the icing on top and smooth it over the surface of the cake. Trim any excess icing from the edges of the cake and use a fork to create a pattern around the sides of the cake.
Step 8: Decorate the cake
Decorate the cake with festive decorations such as holly leaves, berries, or Christmas figurines. You can also add a personal touch by piping a message onto the cake using royal icing.
Step 9: Store the cake
Store the cake in an airtight container and leave it to mature for at least a week before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop and the cake to become moist and delicious.
Step 10: Enjoy!
When you’re ready to serve the cake, cut it into slices and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. The traditional Christmas cake is a classic festive treat that is sure to delight your family and friends.
Conclusion
Making a traditional Christmas cake with black treacle is a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season. This rich, fruity cake is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. We hope that this recipe has inspired you to create your own Christmas masterpiece!
How to Make a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle
Preheat your oven and prep your ingredients
Before you start making your traditional Christmas cake, preheat your oven to 150°C/gas mark 2. Get all your ingredients ready and adjusted to room temperature.
Cream your butter and sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together your butter and dark muscovado sugar until smooth.
Add your eggs
Add your eggs one at a time, beating each one before adding the next. Make sure to scrape the bowl’s sides and break up any lumps.
Add your flour and spices
Using a sieve, sift your plain flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and bicarbonate of soda into your mix. Fold the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.
Add your fruit and cherries
Then, add the dried fruit and glacé cherries into the mixture. And fold in gently.
Add Black Treacle and milk
Stir in the black treacle and milk into your mix until well combined. You should have a light but thick batter.
Line your cake tin
Line a 20cm round cake tin with greaseproof paper
Add the batter to the tin
Spoon your batter into the prepared tin and level it out with the back of a spoon.
Bake until it’s golden
Bake your traditional Christmas cake in the oven for around 2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool
Once it’s cooked, remove the cake tin from the oven and let it cool in the tin for about an hour. Then move your cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.This traditional Christmas cake recipe with black treacle is a classic and delicious treat that will impress your family and friends. The friendly and informative tone of this recipe will make it easy for anyone to follow the instructions and create a perfect cake. You can enjoy this cake as a dessert or with your afternoon tea. Make sure to store it in an airtight container in a cool and dry place to enhance its flavour. With just a few steps, you can make a cake that will be the highlight of your holiday season.
As the holiday season approaches, families all over the world are busy preparing for Christmas. One of the most beloved traditions during this time is baking a delicious Christmas cake. And what better way to make it extra special than by using black treacle?
Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe With Black Treacle
Ingredients:
- 500g mixed dried fruit
- 125g glace cherries, halved
- 100g chopped almonds
- 250g butter, softened
- 250g dark brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 250g plain flour
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp black treacle
- 2 tbsp brandy
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 150°C and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit, glace cherries, and chopped almonds.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift in the plain flour, mixed spice, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Mix until well combined.
- Add the black treacle and brandy and mix again until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Finally, fold in the mixed dried fruit, glace cherries, and chopped almonds until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 2-2.5 hours or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tone:
The tone of this recipe is instructional and informative. It provides clear and concise steps for the reader to follow, while also incorporating tips and suggestions to help ensure a successful outcome. The overall tone is warm and inviting, encouraging the reader to embrace the holiday spirit and create a delicious Christmas cake that will be enjoyed by all.
Thank you for taking the time to read through our Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe With Black Treacle. We hope that this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process of creating a delicious and festive dessert for your holiday celebrations.
As you embark on this baking adventure, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, be sure to gather all of the necessary ingredients and equipment before starting. This will help to ensure that the baking process goes smoothly and that you are able to create a delicious and beautiful cake.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to experiment with this recipe! While we have provided detailed instructions, feel free to add your own personal touch or adjust the measurements to suit your tastes. After all, baking is all about creativity and expression!
We wish you the best of luck as you embark on this festive baking adventure. May your kitchen be filled with the sweet aroma of Christmas spices and may your taste buds be delighted by the rich and decadent flavors of this traditional Christmas cake. Happy baking!
People Also Ask About Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe With Black Treacle
Christmas is almost upon us, and many of us look forward to the traditional Christmas Cake. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about making a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle:
- What is black treacle?
- What is the importance of black treacle in a Christmas cake?
- What are the ingredients needed for a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle?
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Eggs
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Black Treacle
- Mixed Dried Fruit
- How do you make a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle?
- Cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with black treacle.
- Stir in mixed dried fruit.
- Pour the batter into a greased and lined cake tin.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F for 2-3 hours or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the tin.
- Decorate the cake with marzipan and icing as desired.
- How long does a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle last?
Black treacle, also known as molasses, is a dark, thick syrup that is a by-product of refining sugar. It is used in many traditional British recipes, including Christmas cake.
Black treacle adds moisture and depth of flavor to a Christmas cake. It also gives the cake its distinctive dark color.
The ingredients needed for a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle include:
To make a Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle, follow these instructions:
A well-made Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle can last for several weeks if stored correctly in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
With these answers, you are now equipped to make your own delicious Traditional Christmas Cake with Black Treacle. Happy Baking!