Go Back
–+ servings
Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

Irresistibly Easy Christmas Cake Traybake for Festive Joy

This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake is a festive dessert perfect for gatherings, combining brandy-soaked fruits with a buttery cake, making it a cherished holiday favorite.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Christmas
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 175 g Mixed Dried Fruits You can substitute with dried figs or cranberries.
  • 3 tablespoons Brandy Use orange juice or apple cider for a non-alcoholic option.
  • 175 g Butter Consider using unsalted margarine for a dairy-free alternative.
  • 175 g Sugar Try brown sugar for a deeper flavor profile.
  • 4 units Eggs Beat until pale yellow for a fluffier texture.
  • 225 g Plain Flour You may use whole wheat flour for added nutrition.
  • 1 tablespoon Baking Powder Make sure it’s fresh for best results.
For the Decoration
  • 500 g Marzipan Feel free to swap with fondant for a different texture.
  • 500 g Fondant Powdered sugar can be used for a simpler finish.
  • 30 units Decorations (edibles) Use as many or as few as you like for a charming aesthetic.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • electric mixer
  • baking tray
  • Spatula
  • Sifting Tool

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and grease a suitable baking tray or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat 175 g of softened butter and 175 g of sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until smooth.
  4. Stir in 3 tablespoons of brandy and fold in 175 g of mixed dried fruits.
  5. Sift together 225 g of plain flour and 1 tablespoon of baking powder over the mixture, folding until just combined.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for about 1 hour, checking with a skewer for doneness.
  8. Cool in the tray for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Roll out 500 g of marzipan on top, smooth it out, then cover with 500 g of fondant and decorate with 30 edible decorations.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 400IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Allow the cake to cool and rest for 1-2 days before serving to enhance flavors. Store undecorated cake tightly wrapped in the freezer for up to three months.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!