Nothing says Christmas like the Traditional British Christmas Plum Cake. This festive delight, rich in dried fruits and spices, has been a cherished holiday tradition for centuries. Its warm flavors and beautifully decorated appearance make it the centerpiece of any Christmas celebration. Follow this detailed recipe to bake your own show-stopping plum cake that’s both a treat for the taste buds and a feast for the eyes.
Ingredients:
For Soaking (Prepare at least 24 hours in advance):
200g raisins
200g currants
100g chopped dried apricots
100g chopped candied peel
100ml dark rum or orange juice
For the Cake:
250g unsalted butter (softened)
250g dark brown sugar
4 large eggs (room temperature)
300g all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
100g chopped almonds (optional)
Zest of 1 orange
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp molasses or black treacle
2 tbsp milk
For Decoration:
200g white icing
Assorted dried fruits (glazed cherries, sliced almonds, etc.)
Festive edible decorations
Instructions:
Soak the Fruits:
Combine raisins, currants, apricots, and candied peel in a bowl. Pour in the rum or orange juice, mix well, and cover. Allow the mixture to soak overnight or up to 24 hours.
Prepare the Cake Batter:
Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift in the flour, baking powder, and spices. Mix gently to combine.
Stir in the soaked fruits (along with any remaining liquid), chopped almonds, orange and lemon zests, molasses, and milk. Mix until fully incorporated.
Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and level the top with a spatula.
Bake for 2–2.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate the Cake:
Roll out the white icing and gently cover the top of the cooled cake, smoothing it to resemble snow.
Arrange dried fruits and edible decorations on top to create a festive design.
Optionally, dust with a light sprinkle of icing sugar for an extra snowy effect.
Cook & Prep Times:
Prep Time: 30 minutes (excluding fruit soaking)
Cook Time: 2–2.5 hours
Total Time: 2.5–3 hours