If you ever find yourself wanting to bake your own traditional Christmas cake, then I have an easy Christmas cake recipe for you to use right here, but you'll also need to know how to feed and store a Christmas Cake the easy way.
Don't worry it's very easy! I'll show you the simple steps that will ensure you have the most perfect Christmas cake.
These processes are thought of as a lot more complicated than they are and it's my mission in life to simplify everything and make it accessible and fun for all.
Feeding a Christmas cake involves poking small holes into the cake and then pouring liquid, usually alcohol, into those holes.
Why do we feed a Christmas cake?
First and foremost we feed a homemade Christmas Cake to keep it moist. Rich fruit cake, especially dense ones like a Christmas Cake, can err on the dry side.
They can even crumble when cutting them. So, If you're planning on baking your cake a couple of months before you are going to eat it then feeding the cake keeps it moist.
Feeding the cake also adds extra flavour, especially (in my experience) if you use alcohol. The dried fruit continues to soak up the liquid that you feed it and helps it to maintain its juiciness.
The final flavour you have seeping through your cake will depend on what liquid you opt for in the end but I tend to choose brandy as I find it the most Christmassy.
Watch my How to Feed (and store) a Christmas Cake video below.
It will show you exactly how I wrap my cake after baking it. How I feed it with my chosen liquid and how I then wrap it back up and keep it airtight in a cool, dark place before feeding it again.
How do we feed a Christmas cake?
We poke small holes using a skewer or knitting needle or make incisions using a sharp knife into the surface of the cake. You don't need to poke right down to the bottom of the cake but go as far down as you can without damaging the base. We then pour liquid into those holes.
The amount of liquid we use to feed a Christmas cake is about two tablespoons every two weeks. We don't want any excess liquid leaking out of the cake. Feeding a Christmas Cake is simply to keep it from getting too dry and to add lots of flavour.
We do this every couple of weeks from the moment we store the cake after baking it until about a week before we're due to decorate it.
Decorating is usually done about a week before Christmas Day and is often done using Royal Icing.
What liquid should I use to feed a cake with?
As I've said I like to use alcohol as I like the taste that it gives the cake. This year I opted for Brandy but the first time I made a Christmas Cake I fed it with Sherry. I've known people who feed their cake with almond liqueur and I'm thinking about using Cherry Brandy next year. Brandy, sherry and rum are all firm favourites and last year I had a friend who used orange liqueur to feed their cake.
If you don't want to use alcohol you still have quite a few options open to you. A few of the most popular are fruit juice. Orange juice and apple juice lead the way but I have also heard of people using Pineapple juice to feed their cake. I think using Pineapple juice sounds wonderful and I can imagine it makes the fruit in the cake taste delicious. I also like the idea of using Pomegranate juice. Pomegranates are synonymous with Christmas and the juice can only add to the flavour. But this is all down to personal taste and you must use whatever liquid you prefer to feed your Christmas cake.
How to store a Christmas cake?
After baking my Christmas cake I allow it to cool in the tin. When it has fully cooled remove from the tin, place it on tin/aluminum foil and wrap it so that it is totally covered. I then wrap it again so that it has a double layer of wrapping. Some people find it works to wrap their cake in a double layer of greaseproof paper but I find tin foil much easier to work with a get as airtight as I can. I then put my cake into an airtight tin.
What do I store my Christmas Cake in?
Put your cake in an airtight box after wrapping it up as it is going to be kept for a relatively long time. Especially when we think of how we would eat a normal cake within a few days of baking it. When the cake is double wrapped and in its airtight container put it in a dark, cool place. If it's not airtight and too warm then there is a chance it will go mouldy.
Use the recipe card below as a guide on how to feed and store your Christmas cake this year. You'll be starting earlier than Stir up Sunday so it'll be well on its way by the time you're making your Mince Pies. But if you like all the prep for Christmas this will be fun! It is a lot less stressful getting it done in easy, gentle stages instead of a huge rush.
When to start making your Christmas Cake?
I tend to start the process in the middle of October. As long as I have my cake being fed by then I know that it'll be perfect by the time I come to decorate it.
How do you feed a Christmas Cake?
By pouring small amounts of liquid, traditionally alcohol, through small holes inserted in the top of the cake.
How soon after baking do you feed a Christmas Cake?
I allow the cake to cool completely and then I feed it. It's then wrapped, stored and fed every two weeks.
Can you feed a Christmas Cake with Port?
Yes, you can definitely feed a Christmas Cake with Port. I use brandy, sherry or port depending on what I have in the pantry.
Can you feed Christmas Cake too much?
Yes, you can. Don't feed more than the amount stated in my recipe and it's only necessary to feed every two weeks or so.
