Christmas Cake Using Mincemeat

Vonbon Hill

2 min read

·

22-11-2024

2

0

Share

The aroma of warm spices and sweet mincemeat filling the air – it's a quintessential Christmas experience. And what better way to amplify those festive feelings than by baking a delicious Christmas cake incorporating this traditional ingredient? This recipe offers a twist on the classic, blending the rich depth of mincemeat with a moist and flavorful cake.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields a generous 10-inch cake, perfect for sharing with family and friends (or enjoying a generous slice yourself!).

• For the Cake:

  • 250g unsalted butter, softened
  • 250g dark brown soft sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 100ml strong black coffee, cooled
  • 200g mincemeat

• For the Glaze (Optional):

  • 100g apricot jam
  • 100g dark chocolate, melted

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F/Gas Mark 2). Grease and line a 10-inch round cake tin. This will prevent sticking and ensure a clean release.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: Cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a light and airy texture.
3. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Don't overmix.
4. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the cooled coffee, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold gently until just combined.
6. Incorporate Mincemeat: Gently fold in the mincemeat. Avoid overmixing, as this can result in a tough cake.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for approximately 2-2.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Glazing for that Extra Touch (Optional):

Once the cake is completely cool:

1. Apricot Glaze: Gently heat the apricot jam until it's smooth and runny. Brush it evenly over the top of the cake.
2. Chocolate Finish: Drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the apricot glaze for an elegant and decadent finish.

Serving Suggestions:

This rich Christmas cake is delicious served with a dollop of clotted cream or vanilla ice cream. It also keeps well for several days, stored in an airtight container – though it’s unlikely to last that long!

Note: Adjust the spices to your liking. For a stronger spice flavor, increase the amounts accordingly. Enjoy your festive baking!