Description
These Mary Berry Mini Christmas Cakes are moist, rich, perfectly spiced, and filled with festive dried fruits. Inspired by traditional British holiday baking, these adorable individual cakes are perfect for gifting, entertaining, or enjoying with a cozy winter drink. They bake evenly, stay tender for days, and can be decorated beautifully with marzipan, icing, nuts, or cherries—making them a delightful addition to any Christmas celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants)
- ½ cup glacé cherries, halved
- ½ cup mixed peel (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
Optional Decorations:
- Marzipan
- Royal icing
- Festive sprinkles
- Glacé cherries
- Candied orange slices
Instructions
- Prepare Tins: Grease mini cake molds or muffin tins and line bottoms with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat softened butter and brown sugar until pale, creamy, and fluffy.
- Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine Mixtures: Fold dry ingredients gently into the butter mixture.
- Add Fruit & Zest: Fold in dried fruit, cherries, peel, orange zest, and lemon zest.
- Portion Batter: Spoon mixture into molds, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Bake: Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 35–45 minutes, until golden and firm to the touch.
- Cool: Let cakes cool 10 minutes in the tin, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Fruit Preparation Tips:
- Use soft, fresh dried fruit for best texture.
- Chop larger fruit pieces for even distribution.
- Toss fruit lightly in flour to prevent sinking.
- Pat sticky fruit dry before adding.
Expert Tips:
- Add generous citrus zest for brightness.
- Let batter rest briefly before spooning.
- Avoid opening the oven door early.
- Decorate only when completely cooled.
Storage:
- Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.
- Freeze individually wrapped cakes for up to 3 months.
- Thaw before decorating.
Reheating:
- Warm briefly in the oven if desired.
Notes
- Add grated apple for additional moisture.
- Use festive spices like cloves or ginger for variation.
- Add chopped nuts for crunch.
- Use tropical dried fruit for a unique twist.
- Decorate with royal icing snowflakes for a festive finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: British