Christmas Cake With Royal Icing

Vonbon Hill

2 min read

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22-11-2024

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The aroma of warm spices and rich fruitcake is synonymous with Christmas. This year, elevate your festive baking with a classic Christmas cake adorned with elegant royal icing. This guide will take you through the process, from preparing the cake to perfecting the icing finish.

The Cake: A Foundation of Flavor

Before we dive into the dazzling icing, let's focus on creating a moist and flavorful Christmas cake. This recipe emphasizes traditional ingredients and techniques for a truly authentic taste.

Ingredients:

• 175g butter, softened
• 175g light brown soft sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 175g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 175g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants)
• 50g glace cherries, chopped
• 2 tbsp brandy or rum (optional, but adds depth of flavor)
• 1 tbsp milk (if needed)

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 150°C (130°C fan/Gas Mark 2). Grease and line two 20cm round cake tins.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Eggs: Gradually beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. If the mixture starts to curdle, add a spoonful of flour.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, mixed spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Fold in Dry and Wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Add Fruit and Alcohol: Stir in the mixed dried fruit, chopped glace cherries, and brandy (if using).
7. Bake: Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared cake tins. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the tins for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Royal Icing: A Show-Stopping Finish

Royal icing is the perfect partner for a Christmas cake, offering a smooth, crisp finish and a blank canvas for creative decoration.

Ingredients:

• 300g icing sugar, sifted
• 2-3 tbsp egg white (approximately 1 large egg white)
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Combine: In a large, clean bowl, whisk together the sifted icing sugar, egg white, and lemon juice until you have a smooth, glossy icing that holds its peaks. Adjust the consistency by adding more egg white for a runnier icing or more icing sugar for a thicker consistency.
2. Ice the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, carefully level the tops if necessary. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of icing over the top. Top with the second cake layer and ice the entire cake with a thin layer of icing (crumb coat). Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
3. Final Icing: Once the crumb coat is set, apply a final, thicker layer of icing to create a smooth, even surface. Use a palette knife or spatula for a professional finish.
4. Decorate: Let your creativity shine! Decorate your cake with festive sprinkles, candies, edible glitter, or piped designs.

Tips for Success:

• Fruit Soaking: Soaking the dried fruit in the brandy overnight will enhance the flavor and moisture of the cake.
• Cake Layers: Ensure the cake layers are completely cool before icing to prevent melting.
• Icing Consistency: The consistency of the royal icing is crucial for a smooth finish. Adjust as needed.

Enjoy your beautifully decorated Christmas cake! This recipe provides a framework; feel free to experiment with different fruits, spices, and decorations to create your own unique masterpiece. Happy baking!