Christmas cake
Description
The baking is simple and quick. Many Christmas cakes require lengthy preparation of dried fruits. I offer an express recipe, in case you suddenly want to bake such a cake literally on Christmas Eve! Festive aromas, little work, everyone is happy. Serve warm or chilled. Perfect with tea.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients.
- 2
Step 2
Let's start with an express preparation of dried fruits. Rinse the dried fruits, place them in a microwave‑safe bowl. Add the zest and juice of half an orange, dark sugar, and 50 ml of hot water. Stir and put in the microwave for 3 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes and then put back in the microwave for 3 minutes at half power. Cool. If you like, add 1–2 tablespoons of strong aromatic alcohol — rum or brandy.
- 3
Step 3
Beat the butter with white sugar until fluffy.
- 4
Step 4
Add the eggs one at a time, beating each thoroughly.
- 5
Step 5
Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and semolina.
- 6
Step 6
Add cinnamon and vanilla extract, leaving some for the glaze. Quickly stir until the ingredients are combined.
- 7
Step 7
Add the dried fruit and stir quickly again.
- 8
Step 8
Transfer the batter into a generously butter‑greased cake pan.
- 9
Step 9
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for half an hour. Check doneness with a toothpick. If necessary, continue baking the cake, lowering the temperature to 170 °C and covering the top with parchment.
- 10
Step 10
While the cake is baking, mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cream, adding them half a spoon at a time, until a thick, smooth glaze forms.
- 11
Step 11
Place the finished cake on a rack and drizzle it with the juice of the other half of the orange. Let it cool completely.
- 12
Step 12
Cover the cake with glaze and decorate with zest, fresh or candied cranberries, and confectionery sprinkles.
- 13
Step 13
You can serve the cake immediately or leave it in a cool place overnight.
- 14
Step 14
Merry Christmas!