The Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake might just be the sweetest thing to hit your holiday table. Imagine a cake that’s a delightful mosaic of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, all swirled together in a beautiful bundt shape. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will have everyone asking what magic is happening in there. berry chantilly cake zesty lemon custard cake This festive treat is perfectly moist, with every bite offering a little surprise of flavor, making it an unforgettable centerpiece for your holiday gatherings. delicious lemon pound cake.
Let me take you back to last Christmas when my Aunt Edna attempted to bake this very cake. Picture her flour-covered apron and the slight panic in her eyes as she realized she forgot to soak the fruits overnight. Despite the mishap, she persevered! What emerged from her oven was still divine, proving that even in chaos, deliciousness can prevail. And that, my friends, is the spirit of the season—delightfully imperfect yet heartwarming.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake is simple and quick to prepare, making holiday baking less stressful
- Each slice bursts with festive flavors and colors, inviting everyone to dig in
- Its stunning presentation makes it the star of any dessert table without requiring professional pastry skills
- This cake is versatile enough for breakfast or dessert, perfect for any occasion
I remember when I first made this cake; my family couldn’t stop raving about how moist and flavorful it was!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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Dried Mixed Fruits: A combination of raisins, apricots, and cranberries adds sweetness and tartness; make sure they’re plump and juicy.
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Nuts: Use walnuts or pecans for crunch; lightly toast them for enhanced flavor.
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All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of your cake; sift it to ensure lightness.
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Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness; you can also use brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
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Eggs: Fresh eggs bind everything together; ensure they are at room temperature.
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Baking Powder: Essential for lift; check expiration dates for best results.
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Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices bring warmth and a festive aroma to your cake; don’t skimp on them!
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Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over saltiness; cream it well for fluffiness.
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Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances flavors beautifully; skip imitation if you can.
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Milk or Yogurt: Add moisture to your batter; yogurt gives added richness and tang.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Prepare Your Oven and Bundt Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your bundt pan generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Soak Those Fruits!: In a bowl, combine your dried mixed fruits with a splash of warm water or rum. Let them soak while you prepare the rest; this step adds luscious moisture.
Cream Butter and Sugar Together: In another bowl, cream softened butter with sugar until fluffy. You’ll want this mixture light in color; it should feel airy under your whisk.
Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract: Beat in eggs one at a time into the creamy sugar mix. Adding vanilla extract at this stage makes everything smell heavenly!
Mix Dry Ingredients Separately : In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. This keeps everything evenly combined once added to wet ingredients.
Combine Everything Gently!: Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing—this helps keep your cake light and fluffy.
Add Soaked Fruits and Nuts : Now fold in those beautiful soaked fruits along with chopped nuts gently into the batter until they are evenly distributed but not overworked.
Pour Batter Into Bundt Pan : Carefully pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan. Smooth out the top with a spatula so it bakes evenly.
Bake It Up!: Place in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell as festive as Santa’s workshop!
Cool Before Serving!: Once baked, allow your cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack. Patience pays off—this prevents breakage!
Now you’re ready to enjoy this scrumptious Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake! Whether it’s served at breakfast or dessert after dinner, each bite will be like getting wrapped up in cozy holiday cheer! For more inspiration, check out this White Chocolate Raspberry Cake recipe.
You Must Know
- Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake is not just festive; it’s a delightful blend of flavors that warms the soul
- The mix of dried fruits and spices makes it irresistibly aromatic
- A perfect centerpiece for your holiday table, this cake will have everyone reaching for seconds
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by mixing your dry ingredients while soaking the dried fruits in rum or juice. This allows them to plump up beautifully while you prepare the batter. Then, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, adding eggs one by one for a smoother texture. For more inspiration, check out this Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins recipe.
Add Your Touch
Consider swapping out some dried fruits for nuts or chocolate chips if desired. You can also play with spices, adding a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth or using orange zest for a citrus twist. Personalize it to suit your taste!
Storing & Reheating
Store your Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you want to enjoy it later, slice and freeze the pieces, reheating them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To ensure your Bundt cake releases smoothly, grease the pan generously and dust it with flour
- Always check for doneness with a toothpick before removing from the oven
- Letting it cool completely helps prevent crumbling when slicing!
Sharing this recipe always brings back fond memories of my grandma’s kitchen filled with laughter and the scent of spices wafting through the air. spiced pumpkin cheesecake bars It’s these moments that remind me why baking is so special.
FAQ
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?
Fresh fruit can make the cake soggy; stick with dried fruit for best results.
How do I know when my Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with few crumbs attached.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! It keeps well and can be made several days in advance for convenience.
Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
Description
The Christmas Fruit Bundt Cake is a festive delight that combines a colorful array of dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and warm spices, all baked into a beautiful bundt shape. This moist cake not only fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma but also serves as a stunning centerpiece for holiday gatherings. Each slice bursts with flavor and offers delightful surprises, making it a must-try recipe for the season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried mixed fruits (raisins, apricots, cranberries)
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans (lightly toasted)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar for richer flavor)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk or yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan.
- Soak the dried mixed fruits in warm water or rum while preparing other ingredients.
- In a bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Gently fold in soaked fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.
- Pour batter into the bundt pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (100g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
