Are you looking to impress your loved ones with a show-stopping dessert this holiday season? Look no further than our Women’s Weekly Christmas Cake recipe. This delectable treat is a classic favorite for festive gatherings, featuring a rich blend of traditional flavors that are sure to delight your guests. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s get started on creating a mouth-watering Christmas masterpiece!
**Women’s Weekly Christmas Cake**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
– 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, and candied peel)
– 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)
– Zest of one orange
– Zest of one lemon
– 1/4 cup orange juice
– 1/4 cup molasses
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until well combined.
5. Stir in the brandy (if using), mixed dried fruits, chopped nuts, orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, and molasses. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
8. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For an extra festive touch, you can decorate your Women’s Weekly Christmas Cake with a drizzle of icing, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a beautiful arrangement of dried fruits and nuts on top.
Enjoy slicing into this delightful Christmas cake and savoring the warm, comforting flavors with a cup of tea or coffee. Your friends and family are sure to be impressed by your baking skills, and this scrumptious treat will become a cherished tradition at your holiday gatherings. May your home be filled with joy and laughter as you celebrate the season with this delicious dessert.
