Oh, let me tell you about the magic of mini Christmas cakes! These little delights have been a staple in my holiday celebrations for as long as I can remember. I can still picture my grandmother bustling around the kitchen, her apron dusted with flour, as she baked these charming bite-sized treats. The aroma of spiced fruit and buttery goodness would fill the air, making it impossible to resist sneaking a taste! They’re perfect for sharing at festive gatherings, and honestly, there’s something so special about their cuteness. Each mini cake is a tiny gift of joy, topped with a sweet layer of marzipan and icing that just screams “holiday cheer.” Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked on their delightful flavors and textures!
Ingredients for Mini Christmas Cakes
These mini Christmas cakes are super simple to whip up, and the ingredients are all pantry staples! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 200g mixed dried fruit (like raisins, currants, and chopped apricots)
- 100g unsalted butter, melted
- 100g brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 150g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for that warm, festive flavor)
- 100g marzipan, rolled out for decorating
- 100g icing sugar, for that lovely sweet finish
Make sure to have everything at room temperature for the best results, and don’t forget to have fun with it!
How to Prepare Mini Christmas Cakes
Alright, let’s get to the fun part—making these delightful mini Christmas cakes! Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll have a festive treat that’ll impress everyone!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
The first thing you want to do is preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). This is super important because a properly preheated oven ensures that your cakes bake evenly, giving them that perfect fluffy texture. Just set it and let it warm up while you prep the batter!
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Sugar
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter and brown sugar together over low heat. Stir gently until everything is well combined and the sugar has dissolved. It should smell absolutely heavenly! Just make sure you don’t let it burn—nobody wants that!
Step 3: Combine Dried Fruit
Once your butter and sugar mixture has cooled slightly, stir in the mixed dried fruit. This is where the magic happens! The dried fruit will soak up all that buttery goodness, bringing a burst of flavor to your cakes.
Step 4: Incorporate Eggs
Now, crack in the eggs, one at a time. Make sure to mix well after each addition. This helps incorporate air into the mixture, making your cakes light and fluffy. Just whisk it all together until it’s smooth and velvety!
Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients
Next, sift in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Sifting is key here—it breaks up lumps and ensures everything mixes evenly. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. You don’t want to overmix; a few lumps are totally fine!
Step 6: Bake the Cakes
Now comes the fun part—pouring the batter into your mini cake tins! Fill them about two-thirds full to allow for rising. Pop them in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Oh, the smell of baking cakes is something else!
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Once baked, remove the mini cakes from the oven and let them cool in the tins for about 10 minutes. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool, it’s time to get creative! Decorate with a layer of marzipan followed by a dusting of icing sugar. They’re going to look (and taste!) absolutely beautiful!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about the nutritional side of these delightful mini Christmas cakes! Just a heads up, these values are estimates, but they give you a good idea of what you’re indulging in. Each mini cake comes in at about 150 calories, making them a sweet treat that won’t break the calorie bank. You’ll find around 5g of fat, with 3g of that being saturated fat. They also have about 20g of sugar, which is perfect for that holiday sweetness! Plus, with 2g of protein and 25g of carbohydrates, they’re a festive treat that satisfies. Enjoy them in moderation, and they’ll surely bring joy to your holiday celebrations!
Why You’ll Love Mini Christmas Cakes
- Quick to Make: These mini cakes come together in no time, making them perfect for last-minute holiday baking.
- Festive Delight: Their charming size and beautiful decorations add a touch of holiday cheer to any gathering.
- Customizable: Feel free to swap in your favorite dried fruits and nuts to make them uniquely yours!
- Perfect for Sharing: Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to share with friends and family during festive celebrations.
- Beautifully Delicious: With a delightful combination of flavors and textures, they’re sure to impress everyone at your holiday table!
Tips for Success with Mini Christmas Cakes
To make sure your mini Christmas cakes turn out perfectly, here are my top tips! First, use high-quality dried fruits—they really elevate the flavor and keep the cakes moist. If you can, soak them in a bit of rum or orange juice beforehand for extra richness. When you store the cakes, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully, so you can make them in advance! Just wrap each cake tightly in plastic wrap to preserve their freshness. And remember, don’t overmix the batter; it’s all about keeping that light texture!
Frequently Asked Questions
I often get questions about these delightful mini Christmas cakes, so let’s tackle a few common ones!
Can I make these cakes ahead of time? Absolutely! Mini Christmas cakes can be made up to a week in advance. Just store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
What if I don’t have marzipan? No worries! You can skip the marzipan or use a layer of chocolate ganache instead for a different but equally delicious finish.
Can I use different dried fruits? Yes, feel free to customize! Dried cherries, cranberries, or even chopped nuts can add a lovely twist to the flavor and texture.
How should I store leftover cakes? Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. You can even freeze them for a festive surprise later on!
These mini Christmas cakes are versatile and fun, so don’t hesitate to get creative with them!
For more delicious recipes, check out our all recipes page!
Also, if you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of dried fruits, you can read about it here.
Print
Mini Christmas Cakes: 7 Joyful Bites of Holiday Bliss
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini cakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini Christmas cakes are delightful bite-sized desserts perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 200g mixed dried fruit
- 100g unsalted butter
- 100g brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 150g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 100g marzipan
- 100g icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and sugar together.
- Remove from heat and stir in the dried fruit.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Sift in flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix until combined.
- Pour the mixture into mini cake tins.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool before decorating with marzipan and icing sugar.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Can be made a week in advance.
- Customize with your favorite dried fruits and nuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cake
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: mini christmas cakes, holiday desserts, festive baking