Best Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe: Rich, Moist, and Easy to Make
This is the best traditional Christmas cake recipe! It's rich, moist, and easy to make, packed with spices, orange zest, and plump dried fruits for the holidays.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Holiday
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 371 kcal
2 cups all-purpose flour 1/1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground ginger Orange Zest 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup sugar 2 large eggs room temp 1 cup buttermilk 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 cup orange juice to soak fruits 1/2 cup chopped nuts pecans or almonds (optional)
Soak the raisins/dates/cranberries in the 1/4 cup orange juice for 10–15 minutes.
Beat the butter, oil, and sugar until fluffy and light (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs and stir in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Sift the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and fold gently.
Add the buttermilk and fold again until just combined. Stir in the orange zest.
Toss the drained, soaked fruits and nuts with 1 tbsp flour. Add the fruits & nuts to the mixture and fold to distribute evenly.
Pour into a greased and lined 8-inch or 9-inch cake pan.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before serving.
Calories: 371 kcal Carbohydrates: 38 g Protein: 5 g Fat: 23 g Saturated Fat: 8 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 9 g Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g Trans Fat: 0.4 g Cholesterol: 55 mg Sodium: 120 mg Potassium: 156 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 15 g Vitamin A: 342 IU Vitamin C: 3 mg Calcium: 64 mg Iron: 2 mg