Delia Smith Last Minute Christmas Cake Recipe

July 07, 2023 Post a Comment

light fruit cake recipe delia smith from recipepes.com

Ingredients

This classic Christmas cake recipe from Delia Smith makes a delicious and festive cake perfect for any holiday celebration. It requires a few basic ingredients, including: butter, sugar, eggs, flour, mixed dried fruit, mixed peel, ground cinnamon, mixed spice, almond extract and marzipan. You'll also need some baking paper, a 23cm (9 inch) round cake tin, and a small bowl for the mixed peel.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas 2. Grease the cake tin with butter and line the base with baking paper. Cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift in the flour, mixed spice, cinnamon and mixed peel. Add the mixed dried fruit and almond extract. Mix well until fully combined. Spoon the mixture into the cake tin and level the surface. Bake for 2–2½ hours, until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorating the Cake

When the cake is cool, knead the marzipan until it is soft and pliable. Roll out the marzipan on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar. Place the cake on top and cut away any excess marzipan. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the marzipan. Place the cake on a cake board or plate and decorate with festive decorations or icing. The cake can be served immediately or stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

This recipe makes a 15 serving Christmas cake. Each portion provides approximately 350 calories, with 15g of fat, 59g of carbohydrates and 7g of protein. The cake is also a source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, iron, magnesium and zinc. The cake contains some added sugar but can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious Delia Smith Last Minute Christmas Cake is best served with a dollop of cream or custard, a scoop of ice cream, or a drizzle of brandy butter. It also pairs nicely with a cup of tea or coffee for an after dinner treat. The cake can also be served as part of a festive afternoon tea, or as a dessert after a Christmas dinner.

Tips and Tricks

To get the best results when making this cake, make sure you use the correct type of dried fruit and peel. Use a good-quality mixed dried fruit with a mix of raisins, sultanas and currants, and a good-quality mixed peel with a mix of candied orange and lemon peel. If you don’t have marzipan you can use a simple icing instead. You can use a ready-made royal icing or make a simple icing using icing sugar, butter and a little water or lemon juice.

Conclusion

Delia Smith's Last Minute Christmas Cake is a classic cake recipe that is perfect for any holiday celebration. The rich, spiced cake is full of festive flavours and is sure to be a hit with family and friends. The cake requires a few basic ingredients and is easy to make, making it the perfect last-minute dessert for any Christmas gathering. Enjoy!