There’s something magical about baking during the holidays, isn’t there? The warmth of the oven, the smell of sweet spices wafting through the air, and the joy of sharing delicious treats with friends and family make it all worthwhile. This *cake for Christmas* is a true celebration of the season! With its rich blend of flavors and festive colors, it brings a touch of cheer to any gathering. Trust me, when you serve this cake, you’ll see smiles all around the table! It’s simple yet impressive, making it the perfect dessert to impress your loved ones without all the fuss. So, grab your apron and let’s dive into this delightful recipe that captures the essence of holiday spirit!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple yet essential ingredients to make your festive *cake for Christmas* shine:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits, chopped if large
Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming, and chop those dried fruits if they’re on the bigger side. This little prep will make your mixing a breeze!
How to Prepare Instructions
Prepare Your Batter
First things first, let’s get that batter going! In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. It’s a crucial step that adds that wonderful texture to your *cake for Christmas*! Next, add in the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. This gives your cake a nice, airy structure. Don’t forget to stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely, warm flavor.
Combine Dry Ingredients
Now onto the dry ingredients! In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is super important because it helps distribute the baking powder evenly throughout the flour, ensuring that your cake rises beautifully! Once mixed, you’ll gradually add this dry mixture to your wet batter, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. We don’t want to overmix here, so be gentle!
Baking the Cake
Time to bake! Pour your lovely batter into a greased cake pan, spreading it out evenly. Pop it in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and let it bake for about 30-35 minutes. The smell that fills your kitchen is just divine! To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean when it’s ready. Once baked to perfection, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, and then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key, but I promise it’ll be worth the wait!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional values for each slice of this delightful *cake for Christmas*. Each serving contains approximately 250 calories, 10g of fat, 4g of protein, and 35g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind that these values can vary a bit depending on the specific ingredients you use. Enjoy every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Brings a festive flavor to your holiday table
- So easy to make, even for beginner bakers!
- Perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners
- Fills your kitchen with a delightful, warming aroma
- Beautifully moist and full of texture from the dried fruits
- Can be decorated to impress, yet remains simple
Tips for Success
To ensure your *cake for Christmas* turns out perfectly, here are some pro tips! First, always measure your flour accurately; too much can lead to a dense cake. For extra moisture, consider adding a bit of sour cream or yogurt to the batter. After baking, let your cake cool in the pan for a bit before transferring it to a wire rack—this helps prevent it from breaking. If you want to keep it fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. And remember, this cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together!
Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are so many fun ways to switch up your *cake for Christmas*! Try swapping out the mixed dried fruits for your favorites like cranberries, apricots, or even cherries for a pop of color and flavor. You could also add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for some delightful crunch. Feeling spicy? A teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg can really elevate the festive vibe. Get creative and make it your own!
Serving Suggestions
This *cake for Christmas* pairs beautifully with a warm cup of spiced chai or a rich hot cocoa to keep the festive spirit alive! You could also serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. Enjoy!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *cake for Christmas* fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight. For a warm treat, pop individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds—just enough to take the chill off and bring back that delicious flavor!
Imprimer
Cake for Christmas: 5 Simple Steps to Holiday Joy
- Temps Total: 55 minutes
- Rendement: 8 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A festive cake perfect for Christmas celebrations.
Ingrédients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Fold in the mixed dried fruits.
- Pour the batter into a greased cake pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool before serving.
Notes
- This cake can be decorated with icing and fruits.
- Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 35 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: General
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sucre: 15g
- De Sodium: 150mg
- La graisse: 10g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 3g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 35g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 4g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 50mg
Mots-clés: cake for christmas
