Description
This Christmas Cake Tray Bake is a delightful festive treat perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season. Packed with mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts, infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, this moist and flavorful cake offers a classic holiday taste in an easy-to-make tray bake format. Decorate with glacé cherries and a dusting of powdered sugar for a charming presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk
Add-ins
- 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas, etc.)
- ½ cup (75g) chopped mixed nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
Optional Garnish
- Glacé cherries, for decoration
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tray: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking tray or cake tin with parchment paper or grease it with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. Set aside to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. This helps incorporate air for a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix gently until just combined, taking care to avoid overmixing which can lead to a dense cake.
- Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Carefully fold in the mixed dried fruit and chopped mixed nuts, ensuring they are evenly spread throughout the cake batter.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, decorate the top with glacé cherries and dust with powdered sugar for a festive appearance.
- Slice and Serve: Once fully cooled and decorated, slice the cake into squares or rectangles and serve to enjoy this holiday treat.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the cake light and tender.
- The baking time may vary depending on your oven; start checking for doneness around 25 minutes.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal of the cake from the baking tray.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
