Mulled Wine Fruit and Nut Christmas Cake Make Ahead Fruitcake
Infuse your holiday season with warmth and cheer by making this *Mulled Wine Fruit and Nut Christmas Cake*, a rich and boozy make-ahead fruitcake that's perfect for holiday gatherings. This luxurious cake is packed with plump mixed dried fruits, figs, apricots, and an irresistible medley of blanched almonds and walnuts, all soaked in aromatic mulled wine for a festive twist. Enhanced with the zesty brightness of orange and lemon, as well as cozy spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, every bite offers the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Designed for make-ahead convenience, this fruitcake matures beautifully over time—just "feed" it weekly with a splash of mulled wine to deepen its flavor. With its moist texture and heady aroma, this Christmas cake is an ideal centerpiece dessert or gift for loved ones. Serve it dusted with powdered sugar and paired with a glass of mulled wine for the ultimate holiday indulgence!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas, cranberries)
- 150 grams Dried figs, chopped
- 100 grams Dried apricots, chopped
- 100 grams Blanched almonds, roughly chopped
- 100 grams Walnuts, roughly chopped
- 150 grams Dark brown sugar
- 200 grams Plain (all-purpose) flour
- 200 grams Unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large Eggs
- 2 tablespoons Molasses or dark treacle
- 1 Zest of 1 orange
- 1 Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 200 milliliters Mulled wine
- 100 milliliters Extra mulled wine (for soaking)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the mixed dried fruits, dried figs, dried apricots, and mulled wine. Heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the fruits absorb the liquid and become plump (approximately 10 minutes). Allow to cool completely.
Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a 20 cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in the molasses, orange zest, and lemon zest.
In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Add the cooled fruit mixture, chopped almonds, and walnuts to the batter. Stir until the fruits and nuts are evenly distributed.
Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing.
Once cooled, use a skewer to poke small holes all over the surface of the cake. Slowly drizzle 100 ml of extra mulled wine over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
Wrap the cake tightly in a double layer of parchment paper and aluminum foil. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Optionally, 'feed' the cake with additional mulled wine once a week by drizzling a few tablespoons over the surface. This will help the flavor mature and intensify.
The cake can be made up to 6 weeks ahead and is best served sliced with a dusting of powdered sugar or alongside a glass of festive mulled wine.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6906 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 307.0 g | 394% | |
| Saturated Fat | 120.1 g | 600% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1181 mg | 394% | |
| Sodium | 2090 mg | 91% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 959.3 g | 349% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 73.5 g | 262% | |
| Total Sugars | 657.8 g | ||
| Protein | 104.1 g | 208% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.1 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 1367 mg | 105% | |
| Iron | 29.7 mg | 165% | |
| Potassium | 8397 mg | 179% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
