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    By Amanda Smyth 19 Comments

    the world's easiest Christmas cake

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    On Friday we had the farm Christmas party. We're not a large group but in previous years it hasn't seemed as easy as it should be. This year was different. From the outset I struck a woman named Sonia. She was so helpful, nothing was a drama. She made organisation of the whole event as smooth as a gravy sandwich.

    I almost kissed her when we met in person for the first time because this time of year nothing seems easy. Getting a park at the shops is twice as hard. Finding ingredients that are plentiful the whole year round now becomes an impossible feat. Add a couple of really hot days and Australia becomes Crazy Town, population 23.13 Million.

    If you, like me, are limping towards the finish line of 2015, then a few shortcuts are always welcome. Dishes that look fancy, but take little actual effort are platters de jour.

    Well, let me make one thing a bit simpler. Here's the world’s simplest Christmas cake recipe. I first heard of this method of making Christmas cake while chatting with Kim McCosker’s mum backstage at the Caloundra Music Festival. She told me it’s an old recipe from her neighbour (don't you love handed-down recipes?).  I’ve adapted it slightly, because 1) booze and 2) almonds, but the original 4 Ingredients recipe is just fruit mince, juice and flour.

    the world's easiest Christmas cake recipe

    ,

    2 votes

    Print

    The World's Easiest Christmas Cake

    Prep 10 mins

    Cook 2 hours, 30 mins

    Inactive 12 hours

    Total 14 hours, 40 mins

    Author Amanda Smyth | Cooker and a Looker

    Yield 1 cake

    This is truly the world’s simplest Christmas cake. I first heard of this method of making Christmas cake from Kim McCosker’s mum, who told me it’s a recipe from her neighbour.  I’ve adapted it slightly, because 1) booze and 2) almonds. 

    There’s no (additional) sugar in the recipe so it’s diabetic friendly. It’s also dairy-free.

    Dietary considerations aside, the real reason why I love this cake SO much is that it’s ridiculously easy.

    Ingredients

    1kg dried mixed fruit

    3 cups orange juice

    ⅔ cup grog (rum, whiskey, whatever floats your sleigh)

    3 cups self raising flour

    1 cup blanched almonds to decorate

    Instructions

    In a large bowl combine the mixed fruit, orange juice and booze. Cover and allow to soak overnight.

    Preheat oven to 150C and prepare a 22cm cake tin. Stir flour into the soaked fruit and mix well. Spoon mixture into the cake tin and bake for 2½ hours in the bottom of the oven or until cooked through.

    Remove and leave to cool.

    Wrap in foil or place in an air tight container where this cake will keep nicely for 3-4 weeks.

    Notes

    The grog in this recipe is optional.

    Courses Cake

    Cuisine Christmas

    easiest christmas cake ever-1

     

    are you limping towards the finish line of 2015?

    how's your to-do list looking?

    the world\'s easiest Christmas cakethe world\'s easiest Christmas cakethe world\'s easiest Christmas cake
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alex says

      March 21, 2017 at 11:33 pm

      Love it!
      And it's look so delicous.

      Cheers form Poland

      Reply
    2. Sue R says

      March 30, 2017 at 3:32 pm

      Awesome! I'll be making that next Christmas instead of my usual super easy Christmas pudding made in the microwave. I'd never boil a pudding again after I was given that recipe 🙂 Oh and I've pinned your Hot cross bun pudding too to make very soon. Hubby will love that!

      Reply
    3. Minnie says

      December 07, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      I would like to bake this cake for Xmas. Please let me know the oven temperature for baking the cake and time it took for cake to cook in the oven.

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        December 07, 2017 at 3:01 pm

        Hi Minnie, the cooking instructions are as stated in the recipe - cook the cake in the bottom of an oven at 150 celsius for 2 1/2 hours.
        Enjoy!
        A x

        Reply
    4. Amanda Parker says

      November 10, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      How long cann the cake be store for thank u

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        November 12, 2018 at 10:37 am

        Hi Amanda,
        It keeps for a few weeks when I make it, but it would probably depend on the temperature at your place.
        (Easily a month in the fridge).

        Cheers,
        Amanda

        Reply
    5. Jennifer Guerrri says

      November 07, 2019 at 1:42 am

      How come it works with no eggs?

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        November 22, 2019 at 10:15 am

        A little bit of kitchen magic Jennifwr!

        Reply
    6. Nena says

      November 16, 2019 at 9:48 am

      Did you replace the liquid of the grog with anything else?

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        November 16, 2019 at 9:50 am

        No, that’s not necessary Nena.

        Reply
    7. Mahi nikitaras says

      December 05, 2019 at 6:17 pm

      Hello if I want to add crushed pineapple in the cake how much fruit mix do I omit ???

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        December 08, 2019 at 6:46 am

        I don’t know Mahi, I don’t use crushed pineapple.

        Reply
    8. Sarah says

      December 08, 2019 at 3:19 am

      Can I substitute a different type of juice? I have a sister who is allergic to orange juice.

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        December 08, 2019 at 6:45 am

        I don’t see why not Sarah. Let me know how it goes please!

        Reply
    9. Cleo says

      November 06, 2020 at 12:05 pm

      Can you use the candied fruit mix instead of dry fruit

      Reply
    10. Cleo says

      November 06, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      That was the old English fruit and Peelmix

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        December 03, 2020 at 9:59 am

        I don't see why that wouldn't work Cleo. Let me know if you try it. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Elizabeth says

      December 18, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      No eggs , no sugar, no spices, definitely worth a try

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        February 01, 2021 at 10:25 am

        I hope you enjoyed it Elizabeth.
        A x

        Reply

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