Mary Berry Mini Christmas Cakes Recipe
Mary Berry Mini Christmas Cakes are delightful festive treats, featuring moist, spiced cake packed with mixed dried fruit soaked in brandy or orange juice, topped with a sweet icing and decorated with glacé cherries and holly leaves. Perfect for holiday celebrations and sharing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini cakes 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 175g softened butter
- 175g light brown soft sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 175g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp ground mixed spice
- 115g mixed dried fruit
- 2 tbsp brandy or orange juice
Icing Ingredients
- 115g icing sugar
- 1–2 tbsp warm water
- Glacé cherries
- Icing holly leaves
Instructions
- Prepare and Mix: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C fan oven. Grease and line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown soft sugar together until creamy and pale. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Fold in the self-raising flour and ground mixed spice gently until well combined.
- Add Fruit and Bake: Fold the mixed dried fruit into the batter along with your choice of brandy or orange juice, ensuring everything is evenly distributed. Spoon the batter into the muffin holes, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Decorate: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. To make the icing, mix the icing sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of warm water to form a thick paste. Spoon or spread this icing over each cooled mini cake. Decorate each with a glacé cherry and icing holly leaves for a festive finish.
Notes
- Use brandy for a more traditional rich flavor or orange juice for a non-alcoholic option.
- Ensure cakes are completely cool before icing to prevent melting the icing.
- Storing the cakes in an airtight container will keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- You can prepare these cakes ahead of time and freeze them before icing; thaw completely before decorating.
- Adjust the spice amount according to your preference for a milder or stronger flavor.
Keywords: Mary Berry, Mini Christmas Cakes, festive cake, dried fruit cake, spiced mini cakes, holiday baking, easy Christmas dessert
