Mary berry All In One Christmas Cake

Mary berry All In One Christmas Cake is a delicious and easy-to-make fruit cake that’s perfect for the holiday season. This recipe is unique because all of the ingredients are combined in one bowl, making it quick and simple to prepare. The cake is packed with dried fruits, nuts, spices, and brandy which gives it a rich flavor and moist texture. It can be made several weeks ahead of time as it keeps well when stored properly in an airtight container.

Why people also love Mary berry All In One Christmas Cake

People love Mary Berry’s All-in-One Christmas Cake because it offers a deliciously rich and moist flavor with minimal effort. The cake is packed with traditional Christmas ingredients like dried fruits, spices, and nuts, creating a festive treat that’s both indulgent and comforting. The simplicity of the recipe allows even novice bakers to achieve a beautifully baked cake that tastes like it took hours to prepare. Additionally, the cake can be made well in advance, allowing the flavors to deepen over time, which many find adds to its appeal during the holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 175g softened butter
• 175g light muscovado sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 250g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• Zest of one orange
• Juice of half an orange
• Splash of milk (if needed)
• 500g mixed dried fruit
• 100g glacé cherries, quartered or whole
• 50g chopped nuts (almonds and hazelnuts work well)
• 4 tbsp brandy

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Gas mark 2 or electric fan at 150°C.
2. Prepare the Cake Tin:
   • Grease and flour a deep round cake tin, then line the base with baking paper.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and light muscovado sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Eggs:
   • Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with each egg to help prevent curdling.
5. Sift Dry Ingredients:
   • Sift in the self-raising flour, baking powder, and mixed spice into the bowl.
6. Incorporate Flavors:
   • Add the orange zest, juice, dried fruit mixture, and any remaining brandy from soaking the fruit overnight.
7. Mix the Batter:
   • Thoroughly mix everything together. If needed, add a splash of milk to loosen the batter slightly.
8. Transfer to Tin:
   • Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin, leveling off the surface and smoothing out any lumps.
9. Bake:
   • Bake for approximately 2 hours or until golden brown. Test by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean.
10. Cool:
    • Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 15 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Decorate (Optional):
    • Once cooled, you can decorate with marzipan and icing or serve as is.

Quick Facts

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Yield: One cake (approximately serves eight to ten people)

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or custard.
• Decorate with marzipan and icing for a more traditional look.

Expert Tips & Tricks:

• Soak the dried fruit in brandy overnight for an even richer flavor.
• Use a deep round cake tin to prevent the cake from overflowing while baking.
• Cover the top of the cake with foil halfway through cooking if it starts to brown too quickly.

Nutrition Information:Per serving (based on eight servings):

• Calories – 593 kcal,
• Fat -29.9g,
• Saturated Fat – 15.4g,
• Carbohydrates – 75.2g,
• Fiber – 3.6g,
• Sugar – 50.8g
• Protein-7.1 g

Presentation:
This cake can be presented on a festive plate or platter and decorated with icing, marzipan, fresh fruit or nuts for an elegant finish. It is also perfect to wrap in baking paper and ribbon as a homemade gift during the holiday season!

Variations and substitutions for Mary berry All In One Christmas Cake:

Variations:

1. Dried Fruit Options:
   • Instead of mixed dried fruit, use a combination of your favorite dried fruits such as raisins, currants, apricots, or cranberries.
2. Chocolate Twist:
   • Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cake mixture for a chocolatey flavor.
3. Different Spirits:
   • Replace the brandy with rum or whisky for a different flavor profile.

Substitutions:

1. Gluten-Free Flour:
   • Use gluten-free flour instead of self-raising flour if you’re on a gluten-free diet.
2. Sugar Swap:
   • Swap light muscovado sugar with brown sugar if you don’t have any available.
3. Non-Alcoholic Option:
   • If you prefer not to use alcohol in your baking, replace the brandy with orange juice or apple juice.

Recommendations and notices:

1. Soak the Dried Fruit:
   • Soak the dried fruit in brandy overnight before making the cake to enhance the flavor.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients:
   • Make sure all ingredients, especially the butter and eggs, are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smooth batter.
3. Avoid Overmixing:
   • Be careful not to overmix your cake batter once you have added the flour mixture, as this can lead to a tough texture.
4. Adjust Baking Time:
   • If your oven runs hot, consider reducing the baking time slightly to prevent burning or drying out the cake.
5. Cooling Time:
   • Allow enough time for your cake to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating or serving.

Conclusion

Mary Berry’s All-in-One Christmas Cake is a delightful way to bring tradition to your holiday table with ease. This cake offers all the classic flavors of a festive fruitcake—rich with dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices—while being accessible for bakers of all skill levels. It’s a delicious and time-honored treat that captures the essence of Christmas, making it a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations.

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