Not Quite Christmas Cake

Let's just say it straight... I haven't baked a Christmas Cake.  Shock! Horror! I've only ever tried to make a Christmas Cake once and it was a dismal failure. They cost a fortune to make and have to be fed and cossetted like an infant.  By now it's become clear that I don't particularly like Christmas Cake. Unfortunately, Andy does! 





Each year I cheerfully bake and decorate Christmas cookies with that niggling feeling of guilt... I should make Andy a Christmas cake.  Each year I turn up the Christmas music to drown out the guilt.  This time I think I may have found a solution...NOT QUITE CHRISTMAS CAKE.



This cake is quick and easy to make,no heavy machinery required. You only need a spoon and a big mixing bowl.  You won't have to buy £20 worth of dried fruit and candied peel.  If you've got a well stocked baking cupboard and a jar of good mincemeat you are ready to bake. 



Here's how to do it:

Heat the oven to 160C/325F.  Grease a loaf pan (17 x 11cm) and line it with baking paper.  

Measure out the following ingredients:

75 grams butter - room temperature
1 egg
75 grams soft brown sugar
120 grams mincemeat (I used Waitrose Traditional) 
120 grams self-rising flour 
100 grams sultanas 

Cream the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg, mincemeat and sultanas.  Add the flour and stir well to combine.  

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Bake for about 1 hour or until the cake is a light golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre of the loaf comes out clean.  Test your cake at about 50 minutes...some ovens will take longer or even less time.  



Let the cake cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning it out to cool on a wire rack.  Once cool, wrap in cling film and store in an airtight container.  



And that's my guilt-free, Not Quite Christmas Cake.  

Comments

  1. Oh thank goodness, I don't like Christmas Cake either! Most people look at you like you've proposed smothering the baby jesus! This version looks delicious Deb :)

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    1. Thanks, Kerry! I can't believe how emotional a Christmas cake can make people. This is just Christmas-y enough to make me feel as if I've done my part. : D

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  2. Nothing wrong with a good old fruit cake.

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    1. It's got mincemeat, too. Now that's Christmas-y! : D

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  3. Oh Debs - you have no idea how relieved I am to be able to share your agony - my only try at a traditional fruitcake some years back was an expensive failure, an experience I am happy not to repeat.
    Your recipe is just what I need … thank you!

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    1. Oh, Dee. My Christmas Cake failure was heartbreaking. I'd made lots of lovely snowflakes to decorate it..it looked so pretty. When we cut into it, it was like window putty. : )

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  4. Your Not Quite Christmas Cake looks yummy and I love the pretty snowflakes in your previous post .

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    1. Thank you! This cake is a snap to make and tastes like you've worked much harder than you have. : D

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  5. Hi Debs, and Happy Christmas! This cake looks sooo good and is just my style: EASY. Thinking of using the Waitrose Cranberry Mincemeat. Definitely going to make it soon. x

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    1. Happy Christmas, Denise! I love the sound of that Cranberry Mincemeat. I like to buy an extra jar to keep in the pantry 'just in case', I'm going to write that on my shopping list NOW!

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