Oh, the joy of holiday baking! This Christmas recipe is like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for sharing with family and friends during those cozy gatherings. Imagine the delightful aroma of freshly baked goodies wafting through your home, making everyone feel festive and cheerful. What I love about this recipe is its simplicity combined with a touch of elegance—it’s not just about satisfying your sweet tooth; it’s about creating memories together. The soft, buttery texture, paired with crunchy nuts, adds a delightful contrast that you won’t forget. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday dinner or just celebrating with a few loved ones, this treat will surely be the star of the show. Trust me, it’ll bring smiles and sweet moments to your festive celebrations!
Ingredients for the Christmas Recipe
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup chopped nuts (your choice, I love walnuts or pecans!)
How to Prepare This Christmas Recipe
Getting started on this delightful Christmas recipe is a breeze! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a festive treat in no time. It’s all about mixing, baking, and enjoying the process, so let’s dive right in!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake bakes evenly and rises beautifully.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this step is key for a deliciously tender cake!
- Now, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. You want that rich, creamy texture to shine through.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, which will add a wonderful aroma and flavor to your batter.
- In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent throughout your cake.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; a gentle fold is all you need!
- Finally, fold in the chopped nuts. They add a fantastic crunch that complements the soft cake perfectly.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking pan, spreading it evenly. Make sure you don’t skip the greasing—it’ll help with easy removal later!
- Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell will be heavenly, and you won’t be able to resist!
- Once done, let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the cake sets perfectly and is easy to slice.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Recipe
- Deliciously festive flavor that captures the essence of the holidays
- Easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules
- Soft, buttery texture with a delightful crunch from the nuts
- A crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress family and friends
- Versatile enough to be served as a dessert or a sweet snack
- Perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings, spreading joy and cheer
Tips for Success
To make sure your Christmas recipe turns out absolutely perfect, here are some of my favorite tips! First off, make sure your butter is truly softened—this means it should be at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar. If you’re in a hurry, you can cut it into small pieces and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Also, don’t skip the step of alternating the dry ingredients with the milk; this helps keep your batter nice and smooth! If you want to mix things up, feel free to swap out the chopped nuts for chocolate chips or dried fruits like cranberries or apricots for a festive twist. And remember, every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on your cake as it bakes—those last few minutes can make all the difference! Trust me, you’ll want to pull it out perfectly golden and smelling divine!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the nutritional values for each piece of this delightful Christmas recipe. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Each serving contains approximately:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
Enjoying this treat in moderation is key—after all, it’s all about savoring those festive flavors!
FAQ Section
Can I make this Christmas recipe ahead of time? Absolutely! You can bake this delightful treat a day or two in advance. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature, and it’ll be even more flavorful as the ingredients meld together.
What can I substitute for the nuts? If you or your guests have nut allergies, feel free to swap them out for chocolate chips or even dried fruits like raisins or cranberries for a festive touch!
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, you can! Just keep in mind that it might make the cake a bit denser, but it’ll still be delicious. You could also try a mix of both for a healthier option.
How do I know when the cake is done baking? A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few crumbs clinging to it. If it’s wet, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Can I add icing to this recipe? Definitely! A simple glaze or cream cheese icing drizzled on top adds an extra festive touch. Just wait for the cake to cool completely before icing.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious Christmas recipe fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for about a week. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just let it sit at room temperature for a bit or warm it gently in the microwave for a few seconds. This way, it’ll taste just as delightful as when it was freshly baked!
Serving Suggestions
To elevate your holiday gathering, consider pairing this delightful Christmas recipe with a warm cup of spiced apple cider or a traditional hot chocolate. The rich flavors of the cake complement the cozy drinks beautifully! For a festive twist, serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for that extra indulgence. You could also add a fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad on the side to balance out the sweetness. Trust me, these combinations will make your festive table not only delicious but also a sight to behold!
For more delicious recipes, check out our all recipes page!
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Christmas Recipe: 7 Irresistible Treats for Joyful Celebrations
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and delicious Christmas recipe that brings joy to your holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Fold in chopped nuts.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Can be topped with icing for extra sweetness.
- Feel free to add dried fruits for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: christmas recipe
