Description
Celebrate the holidays with Nigella’s Italian Christmas Cake! 🎄🍰 Rich, moist, and studded with dried fruits and nuts, this festive cake is perfect for your holiday dessert table or as a thoughtful gift.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup chopped dried fruits (raisins, figs, cherries)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts)
- Optional: 2 tbsp rum or brandy for soaking fruits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan.
- If desired, soak dried fruits in rum or brandy for 30 minutes to enhance flavor.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with milk, until just combined.
- Fold in soaked dried fruits and chopped nuts.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
💡 Tip: Wrap cooled cake in plastic wrap and let it sit for a day to allow flavors to meld. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for festive presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Christmas Recipes, Holiday Baking, Italian Recipes
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: nigella italian christmas cake, holiday cake, christmas desserts, italian fruitcake, festive baking, holiday treats, dried fruit cake