Our top 10 Christmas cake recipes
Get ahead this festive season and make one of our top 10 Christmas cakes. Go for a classic mix, fruity alternative or last-minute lifesaver.
The crowning glory of festive desserts, the Christmas cake is a must-have treat for December. Stuffed with fruit, spiced to perfection and laced with your favourite boozy concoctions, no one can resist a slice of traditional fruitcake. If the classic recipe isn't your thing, try one of our fun twists like mini Christmas cupcakes, a tropical mango version or a punchy ginger bake to bring the heat. Watch our video and learn how to ice a cake for a flawless finish.
Is it your first time making Christmas cake? Learn how to make a Christmas cake, then discover how to feed a Christmas cake.
Fill your kitchen with delicious smells and all your favourite Christmas sweets with our ultimate Christmas baking collection.
Traditional Christmas cakes
Do Stir-up Sunday right this year and bake a boozy masterpiece worthy of the grandest Christmas table. Get your mixing bowls and most impressive aprons at the ready and cook up some Christmas magic.
1. Classic make & mature Christmas cake
Our make & mature Christmas cake is a confirmed classic. You can make this cake up to three months in advance and feed it fortnightly with either rum, brandy or whisky to build up the flavour and keep it moist. If you'd rather not use alcohol, try tea, fruit juice or a flavoured syrup. The mix of warming aromatic spices go well with the fruit and creates a moreish slice.
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2. Classic everyday fruitcake
For a family-friendly fruitcake, the batter is soaked in fruit juice rather than alcohol. It works really well as an easy Christmas cake, giving you and the kids more time to have fun with decorating it. Get some inspiration for Christmas cake decoration ideas.
3. Buttered rum Christmas cake
Our buttered rum Christmas cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and it only gets better as it keeps. The spiced dark rum goes perfectly with the intense dried fruit, orange zest and apple juice. This ultra-indulgent, full-flavoured cake has the perfect balance of sweetness, fresh citrus flavours and punchy liquor. Try decorating it like our midwinter candle cake or our sparkly bauble cake for a colourful showstopper.
4. Dark & stormy fruit cake
This Christmas cake can be made a couple of months in advance and fed with spiced rum to give it extra depth of flavour and texture. It's well worth the result.
5. Easy Christmas cake
Make your seasonal kitchen a stress-free zone this year with our easy 'as-you-like-it' Christmas cake. Use your choice of dried fruit, nuts, citrus zest and booze (or even tea) and get this simple Christmas cake made up to six months in advance.
6. Extra-fruity Christmas cake
Take your love of Christmas cake further with this beautifully rich, brandy-soaked, extra-fruity recipe. It doesn't get more Christmassy than this! Make this cake a month ahead of the big day.
7. Christmas light cake
Use one of our Christmas cake recipes or buy shop-bought (we won't judge). Either way, your guests are sure to be impressed with your fairy light Christmas cake topping, made with fondant icing and sugared almonds.
8. Salted caramel Christmas cake
This beautiful, modern version is laced with chunks of toffee and dates, with a crunchy, nutty topping to boot. It’s perfect for those looking for an extra-sweet finish to their Christmas meal. It will keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks, too.
9. Vegan Christmas cake
No one needs to miss out on festive goodies with our easy vegan Christmas cake. You can create this lip-smacking fruitcake with clever substitutes, like chia seeds and coconut oil in place of eggs and butter. Feed it as you normally would, with a spoonful of rum every week until the big day. Your guests won't believe it's all plant-based goodness.
10. Gluten-free Christmas cake
Now everyone at the table can enjoy a slice of Christmas cake, thanks to our dairy-, gluten-, nut- and egg-free recipe. With all the same trademark flavours of the classic, no one will ever guess it's free-from! This cake will keep in a dry, cool cupboard for up to three months, or in the freezer for up to six months.
Enjoyed these sweet treats? Check out our other Christmas recipes:
Our best ever Christmas cocktails
Christmas cupcake ideas for kids
What's your favourite Christmas dessert? Leave a comment below.