Delicious Festive Christmas Fruitcake Traybake Recipe

Introduction

This Delicious Festive Christmas Fruitcake Traybake is a perfect holiday treat to share with family and friends. Rich with brandy-soaked fruits and beautifully decorated with marzipan and fondant, it brings classic festive flavors into an easy-to-make traybake form.

Ingredients

• 175 g mixed dry fruits (brandy-soaked)
• 175 g unsalted butter (softened)
• 175 g granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 225 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 225 g marzipan (for decoration)
• 225 g fondant (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the traybake.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the large eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next, creating a silky batter.
4. Step 4: Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour and baking powder using a spatula, mixing gently until the batter is smooth and well combined.
5. Step 5: Gently stir the brandy-soaked mixed dry fruits into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
6. Step 6: Pour the batter into a prepared baking tray, spreading it evenly for uniform baking.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow the traybake to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
9. Step 9: Roll out the marzipan and carefully drape it over the cooled cake, smoothing out any wrinkles for a neat finish.
10. Step 10: Layer the rolled fondant over the marzipan, smoothing it down to create a lovely polished look.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, soak your mixed fruits in brandy overnight or longer before baking.
• You can substitute the fondant decoration with a dusting of powdered sugar for a simpler finish.
• Use almond extract in the batter to enhance the marzipan’s nutty flavor.
• If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce granulated sugar slightly and add a splash of orange zest for brightness.

Storage

Store the fruitcake traybake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep it refrigerated for up to two weeks or freeze it wrapped tightly for up to three months. When reheating, allow the cake to come to room temperature and gently warm in a low-temperature oven if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruits?

Dried fruits work best in this recipe because they hold up well during baking and provide the traditional chewy texture. Fresh fruits may release too much moisture and affect the cake’s consistency.

Is it necessary to use both marzipan and fondant for decoration?

While using both marzipan and fondant gives a classic festive look and taste, you can choose to use only marzipan or fondant, or substitute with icing sugar dusting if preferred.

Delicious Festive Christmas Fruitcake Traybake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 140 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x

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Description

This Delicious Festive Christmas Fruitcake Traybake is a moist and flavorful holiday treat loaded with brandy-soaked mixed dry fruits. Soft butter and sugar create a fluffy base, complemented by the richness of eggs and a tender crumb from all-purpose flour and baking powder. Once baked to perfection, the traybake is beautifully decorated with rolled marzipan and fondant, giving it an elegant, festive finish perfect for sharing with friends and family during the Christmas season.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruitcake Batter

• 175 g mixed dry fruits (brandy-soaked)
• 175 g unsalted butter (softened)
• 175 g granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 225 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder

Decoration

• 225 g marzipan (for decoration)
• 225 g fondant (for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking your festive traybake.
2. Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
3. Incorporate: Add the large eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, silky batter.
4. Sift: Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour and baking powder using a spatula, mixing gently until the batter is smooth and well combined.
5. Stir: Gently fold in the brandy-soaked mixed dry fruits, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
6. Pour: Transfer the batter into a prepared baking tray, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
7. Bake: Bake the traybake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
9. Cover: Roll out the marzipan and carefully drape it over the cooled cake, smoothing out any wrinkles or air bubbles for a neat finish.
10. Top: Finally, roll out the fondant and layer it over the marzipan, smoothing it down to create a polished, festive appearance.

Notes

• Soak the mixed dry fruits in brandy for at least 24 hours beforehand for maximum flavor.
• Ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect creaming texture.
• You can substitute brandy with rum or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before applying marzipan and fondant to prevent melting.
• This cake keeps well and tastes better after a day or two once the flavors have melded.
• Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dessert, Holiday Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: Christmas fruitcake, festive traybake, holiday dessert, brandy-soaked fruits, marzipan cake, fondant decoration, Christmas baking recipes, easy fruitcake