Quick Non-Alcoholic Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe

Quick Christmas Fruit Cake Without Alcohol

No alcohol? No problem! Forgot to soak the fruits? Don’t worry! This quick Christmas fruit cake is exactly what you need. It skips the soaking process and uses no alcohol, yet it’s just as moist, dense, and delicious as the classic version.

Why Fruit Cake at Christmas?

Fruit cakes have been a holiday tradition for centuries, dating back to Roman times. Over the years, they’ve become synonymous with Christmas celebrations. Even royalty like Princess Diana and Kate Middleton served fruit cakes at their weddings!

What Makes This Recipe Special?

Unlike traditional fruit cakes that require weeks of soaking fruits in alcohol, this version is quick, easy, and hassle-free. A simple two-hour soak with your favorite mix of fruits and nuts is all it takes. Brown sugar adds a lovely depth of flavor, while the rich, soft crumb guarantees festive vibes in every bite.

This cake is perfect for anyone who wants a quick, alcohol-free take on a holiday classic without compromising taste or texture. Bake it today, and let the holiday magic begin!

What equipment do I require to make Black rice pudding with mango?

Big Bowl:

I have used this big bowl to soak the black rice plus it makes everything look aesthetically pleasing and this black rice pudding with mango recipe is all about teasing and pleasing your tastebuds.

A set of teaspoons and tablespoons:

This stainless-steel measuring spoon set is perfect. I use the one that my pastry college provided me. I did use the plastic ones but let me tell you, they may look boring but stainless steel is best for long-term and safe use.

Electric Beater or Stand Mixer:

Use a good-quality stand mixer or electric beater with a paddle attachment. I have always used KitchenAid stand mixers at work and would like to recommend the same. It is extremely durable, and strong and gets the job done efficiently.

Whisk

To whisk egg and sugar mixture.

Spatula

To help fold and mix the batter.

Weighing Scale

Well, you won’t get the recipe right if the measurements are wrong, and in baking, measuring your ingredients plays a vital role, so make sure you get your hands on this weighing scale.

Chef’s Knife

A set of good chef knives is essential on your culinary journey. Here is the knife that I use.

Cake tin

I use this cake tin to bake my cake. I don’t have a big family or a lot of friends and relatives with whom I can share, so I use this tiny cake tin.

Parchment paper

This will prevent the bread from sticking to the cake tin. In case you have run out of yours or don’t have one handy, here are some alternatives for you to use: You can grease your cake tin with some butter and then dust some flour on top of it, or if you have butter paper you can oil your cake tin and line it with baking paper.

Just to make it clear for you, parchment paper and baking paper are two different things; if you have access to parchment paper, nothing is better than it, so whether you are a pro or a noob at baking, always keep parchment paper and baking paper handy.

What ingredients do I need to make this Quick Christmas fruit cake without alcohol?

Dry Fruits

For this recipe, you’ll need a generous amount of dry fruits. I used tutti frutti, raisins, cashews, dried cherries, and almonds. You can also include other dried or candied peels. The fruits are soaked in orange juice, which enhances the flavor. Freshly squeezed orange juice works best, but store-bought juice is fine too. If using fresh juice and it’s too sour, dissolve some sugar to sweeten it.

Orange Juice

Orange juice is used to soak the dry fruits, infusing them with a citrusy flavor that complements the spices in the cake. Freshly squeezed juice is ideal, but you can also use packaged orange juice.

Flour

All-purpose flour is the base of the cake, providing structure to hold the dry fruits and flavorings together. Be sure to sift the flour to ensure a smooth batter and even mixing.

Spices

The warm, festive flavor comes from garam masala (hot spice powder) and nutmeg powder. You can find garam masala online or in local stores, or make your own (recipe here). If using whole nutmeg, grate it finely and sieve before adding to avoid clumps.

Butter

Softened butter is a key ingredient for a moist cake. Leave the butter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking to achieve the right consistency.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar adds a rich color and depth of flavor to the cake. Avoid substituting it with regular white sugar, as it won’t provide the same caramelized notes or color.

Eggs

Eggs help bind the ingredients and give the cake structure. For the best results, ensure they are at room temperature before use.

Baking Powder

Baking powder acts as the leavening agent, ensuring the cake rises and has a soft, tender texture.

Vanilla Essence

A splash of vanilla essence enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake, adding a subtle sweetness and aroma.

Step-by-step pictures on how to make no alcohol fruit cake recipe?

How to make this Quick Christmas fruit cake without alcohol?

Chop up the nuts and fruits. Squeeze some fresh orange juice if available.
Take butter out from refrigerator for softening meanwhile.
In a saucepan, add the chopped nuts and fruits with the orange juice.
Simmer for five minutes on low flame and let it cool and soak for two hours minimum.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Centigrade/356 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar, till the sugar blends in and the butter becomes fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time and continue beating.
Add vanilla essence or extract.
Sieve the flour, baking powder, and the spices.
Add to the butter mixture and fold to mix everything smoothly.
You should be having a thick batter by now.
Add the soaked fruits and nuts with the juice to the batter.
Fold to mix everything.
Now line an 8.5-inch by 4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper/ butter paper.
Pour the batter into the loaf mold.
Bake at 180 degrees Centigrade/356 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes and at 200 degrees Centigrade/392 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. insert a knife or skewer, if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Cool the cake completely before taking it out of the mold.
Your cake is ready and I am sure your home smells like Christmas already.
Merry Christmas🎅 ❄️

Pro Tips to nail this Quick Christmas fruit cake without alcohol! (Read this first)

Ensure you are soaking the fruits and nuts for at least two hours.
I would recommend buying some orange juice for better taste and flavor.
Do not skip out on brown sugar. I would suggest buying a packet because Christmas recipes do have brown sugar.
Make sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature.
Softened butter means butter that is soft to the touch. Do not use hard butter or absolutely melted butter. It will not give you similar results.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Christmas fruit cake be frozen?

Good news: Yes! You can freeze this fruit cake. Wrap it up tightly in some cling film or some aluminum foil and place it in the freezer.

Is Christmas fruit cake healthy?

No! It is not at all healthy but definitely delicious.

Where did Christmas fruit cake originate?

In the 1800s fruit cakes were made from barley mash and had pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and raisins. Later in the Middle Ages, fruitcakes with honey, preserved fruit and spices were popular.

Fruit cake made with butter and sugar was banned for a while in Europe in the 18th century because it was thought to be just too rich and tasty. From the 19th century on fruitcake became a traditional wedding cake in England.

When to bake Christmas fruit cake?

Traditional Christmas Fruit cake preparation begins at least a month before. But this one is a quick one and has no alcohol, so you can make this anytime.

Can I make this cake without nuts?

No. If you have any nut allergy, avoid fruit cakes altogether. Fruit cakes are meant to be enriched with nuts and dry fruits, without that it’s not a fruit cake. Check out the cake section for other recipes.

More Cozy winter recipes:

Homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows

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Christmas Fruit Cake- no alcohol, quick fruit cake recipe

December 3, 2021

Servings: 4

Prep: 2 hr

Cook: 40 min

Total: 2 hr 40 min

Difficulty: Medium

Print This

This Christmas I am sharing no alcohol and quick Christmas fruit cake recipe with you. Fruit cake without alcohol sounds crazy but this cake turns out absolutely delicious, moist and soft.

By: Alisha Sarkar

Ingredients

For the fruit mixture-
Orange juice(store-bought/freshly squeezed)- 60 ml
Tutti frutti- 30 gm
Raisins- 30 gm
Cashew- 10 gm
Cherry- 20 gm
Almonds- 10 gm
Hot spices powder(garam masala)- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder- a pinch
Flour- 100 gm
Butter(softened)- 100 gm
Brown sugar- 100 gm
Egg- 2 nos.
Baking powder- 1 tsp
Vanilla essence- 1 tsp

Directions

Step 1 Chop up the nuts and fruits. Squeeze some fresh orange juice if available.
Step 2 Take butter out from refrigerator for softening meanwhile.
Step 3 In a sauce pan, add the chopped nuts and fruits with the orange juice.
Step 4 Simmer for five minutes on low flame and let it cool and soak for two hours minimum.
Step 5 Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees Centigrade/356 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 6 In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar, till the sugar blends in and the butter becomes fluffy.
Step 7 Add the eggs one at a time and continue beating.
Step 8 Add vanilla essence or extract.
Step 9 Sieve the flour, baking powder and the spices.
Step 10 Add to the butter mixture and fold to mix everything smoothly.
Step 11 You should be having a thick batter by now.
Step 12 Add the soaked fruits and nuts with the juice to the batter.
Step 13 Fold to mix everything.
Step 14 Now line a 8.5inch by 4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper/ butter paper.
Step 15 Pour the batter in the loaf mold.
Step 16 Bake at 180 degrees Centigrade/356 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes and at 200 degrees Centigrade/392 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. insert a knife or skewer, if it comes out clean, cake is done.
Step 17 Cool the cake completely before taking it out of the mold.
Step 18 Your cake is ready and I am sure your home smells like Christmas already.

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