Introduction
As the festive season approaches, home cooks often seek ways to simplify their holiday baking while still creating delightful treats. This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake captures the essence of traditional Christmas flavors in a straightforward and manageable format. It's perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or simply bringing the joy of the season into your home.
With fragrant spices, dried fruits, and a moist cake base, this traybake is a crowd-pleaser that evokes memories of classic Christmas desserts. What’s more, the easy preparation and cutting make it a convenient choice for busy bakers. In just a few steps, you can elevate your holiday gatherings with this festive treat.
Ingredients
- 250g plain flour
The base of the cake, plain flour provides the structure needed for a moist traybake. It helps to create a tender crumb, which is essential for a delightful texture. - 200g unsalted butter
Butter adds richness and flavor, lending a tender mouthfeel to the cake. Its fat content also contributes to the moisture, making the cake soft and enjoyable. - 200g brown sugar
Brown sugar brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness along with moisture to the cake. Its molasses content gives the traybake a rich flavor profile that complements holiday spices. - 100g mixed dried fruit
Dried fruits, such as raisins, currants, and sultanas, not only add sweetness but also contribute to the festive flavor. They create bursts of flavor and texture within the cake. - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cinnamon is a quintessential holiday spice that imparts warmth and sweetness to the cake. Its aroma enhances the festive spirit and pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. - 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and a slightly sweet, musky flavor that elevates the overall taste. This holiday spice is often used to evoke the cozy essence of the season. - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise to the perfect height while remaining moist. It ensures that the traybake has a light and airy texture. - 3 large eggs
Eggs serve multiple purposes: they provide moisture, binding, and stability to the cake. They also help in achieving a lovely structure that holds everything together. - Zest of 1 orange
Orange zest imparts a vibrant citrusy flavor that brightens the richer elements of the cake. It adds freshness and depth, making it taste more festive. - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla extract brings a soothing sweetness and further rounds out the flavors in the cake. It enhances the overall aroma and taste, allowing the spices to shine. - Icing sugar (for dusting, optional)
Icing sugar, when dusted on top, adds a festive touch to your traybake. It provides a beautiful finish and a slight sweetness, complementing the flavors of the cake.
Directions & Preparation
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Preheating is crucial as it ensures that the cake bakes evenly from the moment it goes in the oven. An adequately heated oven helps the baking powder activate properly, resulting in a light texture.
Step 2: Prepare a baking tray by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper.
This step ensures easy removal of the cake once baked, avoiding any frustration. A lined tray also helps in achieving even baking, as the parchment allows for better heat distribution.
Step 3: In a bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the cake's rise and lightness. This process not only enhances texture but also melds the flavors, creating a cohesive base.
Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
Incorporating the eggs incrementally ensures they combine evenly without curdling. This is key to achieving a uniform batter that results in a well-structured cake.
Step 5: Stir in the orange zest and vanilla extract to the wet mixture.
Adding zest and vanilla at this stage allows their flavors to infuse into the batter. They contribute aromatic notes that enhance the cake's overall festive essence.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and spices.
Whisking dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and spices. This step is crucial for avoiding clumps in the batter, which could affect texture and taste.
Step 7: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix.
Folding allows you to combine the mixtures without deflating the batter, ensuring the cake remains light and airy. It's important to mix until just combined for an optimal texture.
Step 8: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruit ensuring even distribution.
Evenly distributing the dried fruit throughout the batter enhances the flavor and texture of each slice. This step adds bursts of sweetness and festive cheer with every bite.
Step 9: Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and smooth the top with a spatula.
Smoothing the batter helps it bake evenly, leading to uniform texture. A level surface also ensures that the cake rises evenly without creating domes.
Step 10: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
Baking time can vary based on the oven and tray size, so it's crucial to test with a skewer. This avoids underbaking, which can lead to a soggy texture, or overbaking, which can dry it out.
Step 11: Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Cooling in the tray prevents the cake from breaking apart. Transferring it to a wire rack allows airflow, ensuring that the base doesn't become soggy as it continues to cool.
Step 12: Once completely cool, dust with icing sugar before serving, if desired.
Dusting with icing sugar adds a touch of elegance and enhances the visual appeal of your traybake. It also provides a mild sweetness, balancing the richness of the cake.
Celebrate with Flavorful Spices
The warmth of spices is what makes this Christmas Cake Traybake so special. Each spice plays a unique role in the flavor profile: cinnamon provides warmth, nutmeg adds depth, and the citrusy orange zest brightens everything up. This blend mirrors the cozy atmosphere of the holiday season and makes every bite packed with nostalgia.
A Dried Fruit Medley
The inclusion of mixed dried fruits is both traditional and essential in this recipe. Dried fruits not only provide natural sweetness but also offer varied textures within the cake. Their chewy sockets create delightful contrasts alongside the soft crumb, while also delivering an extra boost of flavor reminiscent of classic holiday treats.
Perfect for Any Gathering
This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake is incredibly versatile, making it a fantastic addition to any holiday gathering. Whether served at a cozy family dinner or presented at a large festive party, its simple presentation and nostalgic flavors appeal to guests of all ages. Plus, it's easy to cut into squares for serving, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
FAQs
Why is my cake too dense?
A dense cake could result from overmixing the batter, which can lead to excessive gluten development. Mixing just until combined helps maintain a light texture.
Can I substitute the dried fruits with fresh ones?
Fresh fruits can introduce excess moisture, potentially ruining the cake's texture. Dried fruits are preferred for their concentrated sweetness and stability in baked goods.
What can I do if my traybake turns out undercooked?
If undercooked, return the traybake to the oven and bake in 5-minute intervals until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Make sure to monitor closely to avoid overbaking.
Can I double the recipe for a larger tray?
Yes, doubling the ingredients is feasible. Just ensure to adjust the baking time as larger quantities may require a longer baking period.
What if my icing sugar doesn't stick well?
If the icing sugar doesn't adhere, it’s usually because the cake is still warm or too dry. Ensure the cake has cooled completely and consider applying a light glaze for better adherence.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs. Also, the cake should lightly spring back when pressed.
Conclusion
This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake encapsulates the joyful flavors of the holiday season with minimal fuss, perfect for any festive occasion. Its unique combination of spices and dried fruits makes it a memorable treat that everyone will love.
With its straightforward preparation and delightful taste, it’s an ideal recipe to share with family and friends, bringing warmth and joy to your celebrations. Enjoy baking and creating memories with this festive traybake!
Recipe Card
Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the chicken thighs by patting them dry and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and sesame oil.
- Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-5 hours, or until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Once cooked, remove chicken from the slow cooker and let it rest briefly before serving.
- Serve the chicken thighs garnished with sliced green onions and drizzled with additional sauce from the slow cooker.
Notes
Additional serving suggestions: pair with a crisp salad, garlic bread, or roasted seasonal vegetables for balance.
For make-ahead, prep components separately and assemble just before heating to preserve texture.
Taste and adjust with acid (lemon/vinegar) and salt right at the end to wake up flavors.
