How to feed a Christmas cake (2024)

FAQs

How do you feed a Christmas cake? ›

If you are wondering how do I feed it? What do I feed it with? Don't worry we aren't talking about serving it a plate of sprouts, feeding your cake simply means drizzling it with some liquid, typically alcohol such as brandy or sherry or alternatively you could use fruit juice.

It is possible to use orange juice instead of alcohol for feeding Christmas cakes but we would suggest as a precaution that this is only done a couple of months in advance of the cake being eaten.

What should you feed your Christmas cake? Traditionally Christmas cake has a rich, spicy fruity taste, often associated with brandy but whisky, sherry and fortified wine such as Madeira or port can be used.

Like most rich fruit cakes, it benefits from a maturing period and being fed with some extra alcohol, though in the book it is suggested that the keeping time is 6 weeks and generally we suggest if keeping the cake for longer than this then the cake should be frozen as it will keep for a year.

Make & mature Christmas cake

Feed it regularly with rum, brandy, or whisky for a hit of spicy flavour.

Yes, you can make a fruit cake without brandy. Instead of brandy, you can use alternative liquids like apple juice, orange juice, or even tea to soak the dried fruits and add moisture and flavor to the cake.

When cooled, remove cakes from pans and remove parchment paper. Brush cakes generously with sweet sherry, brandy, rum, port, liqueur or fruit juice; do not use wine. Using fruit juice can increase the chances of your fruitcake going mouldy. Wrap each cake in several layers of cheesecloth and then in plastic wrap.

Wrap the cake in greaseproof paper or baking parchment then wrap it in kitchen foil. Store cake in a second layer of foil or in an airtight tin. You can repeat the feeding process every couple of weeks for three or four feeds. However, if the cake makes the work surface damp, appears wet or stodgy, discontinue feeding.

As long as you're confident it's fully cooked, I don't think you've anything to worry about, especially as you'll be adding liquid. The only danger of over-cooking at low temperatures would be drying out, and that will be remedied.

What is the best alcohol for fruitcake? ›

Other good choices of booze include brandy, rum, or whiskey. Feel free to use one or a mix of these to best complement your fruitcake. Once you've chosen the liquor, bake the cake, poke holes throughout the whole thing, and pour a few tablespoons of the alcohol over it. Or, you can brush the cake with the alcohol.

Your parcel must be suitably sealed to prevent leakage or tainting other items. Your parcel must be packed in a strong corrugated cardboard box or purpose-designed polystyrene pack. Your name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Your parcel must be clearly labelled 'PERISHABLE'

Folks found that the sharp and crumbly cheese—either perched atop or eaten alongside the cake—paired perfectly with the moist, rich baked good, and a tradition was born. The Christmas custom has remained mostly a delight confined to Yorkshire, but that may change.

The original Christmas cake was a plum pudding, which was a porridge really, and because the lead-up to Christmas used to be a fasting period, the porridge would line their stomachs before the big day. It wasn't until later on that it developed into a cake, as richer families had ovens to bake in.

Quick Christmas Cake decorations

It is a soft icing that dries so it is often better to just put it on the top of your cake. I used a long length of liquorice around mine but the decorating is up to you. You can leave the sides free of icing.