A Special White Christmas Cake Recipe for the Holidays
For many Brits, a traditional Christmas cake is a dark fruit-based delicacy, typically made and aged months in advance. However, the cherished White Christmas Cake recipe I present is a bit of an anomaly, offering a unique twist on the classic holiday dessert. This cake, passed down through generations, is a testament to the magical blend of flavors and textures that can transport you to the festive spirit of the season.
The Origin and History
My mother received this recipe many years ago from a dear family friend, and ever since, it has been a staple in our home during the celebrations. Starting from the 1960s and continuing until her passing in 2003, my mother made this cake every year. Since then, I have perpetuated the tradition, adapting it to my own kitchen setups and experimenting with every move and oven conversion.
Key Ingredients and Preparation
The cornerstone of this White Christmas Cake is its use of ground almonds, which helps maintain its moistness while carefully watched for not to overbrown. Here are the ingredients you'll need:
Ingredients: 4 oz (113 grams) blanched whole renamed dried cherries, mixed with red, green, and yellow ones (use the yellow ones in the cake) 4 oz (113 grams) blanched whole renamed dried pineapple 4 oz (113 grams) shelled Brazil nuts 12 oz (340 grams) soft butter or margarine (unsalted butter is best) 12 oz caster sugar 4 large eggs 12 oz (340 grams) self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 6 oz (170 grams) ground almonds 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda 12 oz (340 grams) golden raisins (sultanas) optional 1 tsp vanilla essence To Decorate: Marzipan Glace icing (icing sugar and lemon juice, half and half, mixed with water) More glace cherries, dried pineapple, and Brazil nuts 2 tablespoons apricot jam or marmalade (1 tablespoon of water)Begin by preheating your oven to gas mark 2 (or the equivalent). Grease and line a 9-inch (23-cm) loose-bottom cake tin with double greaseproof or non-stick baking paper. You may also create a collar from more baking paper or brown wrapping paper.
Preparing the Cake
Halve the yellow glace cherries, chop the pineapple, and break the Brazil nuts into small pieces. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs and add them gradually, beating between each addition. If you prefer, use a food mixer or processor for this step.
Next, add the vanilla essence, along with the glace fruits and nuts, mixing thoroughly. Sift the flour, ground almonds, and bicarbonate of soda into a separate bowl and fold in gently but thoroughly. This helps ensure that the cake isn't overbeaten, which can lead to a denser texture.
Baking the Cake
Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with a spoon. Bake the cake in the center of the oven for about 3 hours or until it achieves a firm pale gold color. Ensure that the cake has shrunk slightly from the sides and no longer bubbles when pressed gently. A skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
If the cake is not fully cooked, cover the top with greaseproof paper to prevent overbrowning and drying out. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 30 minutes, then carefully turn it out and peel off the greaseproof paper. Allow the cake to cool upside down on a wire cooling rack.
Decoration
After the cake has cooled, roll out the marzipan to fit the top of the cake only. Warm the apricot jam or marmalade with water until it's liquid. Use this to paint the top of the cake and lay the marzipan on top. Then, make a thick icing with icing sugar and a mixture of lemon juice and water, making sure it's not too runny to allow decorating.
Paint the top of the cake with the icing, allowing it to set for 10 minutes. Finally, decorate with glace cherries, dried pineapple, and Brazil nuts. This is what the finished cake looks like, adding the perfect festive touch to your holiday celebrations.
The White Christmas Cake is a delightful twist on the usual holiday treats, offering a delicious blend of flavors and textures that will surely delight your taste buds and bring joy to your holiday table.