Delight in a festive treat with this Easy Christmas Cake Traybake recipe, perfect for sharing holiday joy with family and friends. This scrumptious cake combines all the warm flavors of Christmas in one convenient traybake, making it easy to prepare, slice, and serve. With its rich, moist texture and vibrant mix of dried fruits and spices, this cake brings festive cheer to any holiday gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and simple preparation: No need for complex baking skills, making it ideal for busy holiday cooks.
Festive flavors: Filled with warming spices and succulent dried fruits for that classic Christmas taste.
Perfect for sharing: The traybake format ensures easy slicing and serving to family and friends.
Versatile dessert: Perfect on its own or paired with your favorite winter beverages and toppings.
Long-lasting freshness: Keeps beautifully, so you can enjoy it throughout the festive season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are simple yet packed with flavor, each playing an essential role in creating the moist texture, rich taste, and festive colors of your Easy Christmas Cake Traybake. From fruit to spices, every element elevates this classic holiday dessert.

Dried mixed fruit: A colorful blend of raisins, sultanas, cherries, and citrus peel adds sweetness and texture.
Butter: Adds richness and a tender crumb to the cake.
Brown sugar: Deepens flavor and enhances moisture for a soft, luscious bake.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind ingredients together.
Self-raising flour: Ensures a light rise without extra effort.
Ground cinnamon and mixed spice: Create that unmistakable Christmas aroma and warmth.
Milk or orange juice: Adds moisture and a slight tang to balance sweetness.
Chopped nuts (optional): For an added crunch and nutty depth.

Variations for Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

One of the best parts of this Easy Christmas Cake Traybake is how flexible it is. Whether you want to swap ingredients for dietary reasons or simply to mix up the flavor, it’s easy to customize this festive favorite.

Gluten-free option: Substitute self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a suitable alternative.
Vegan twist: Replace butter with plant-based margarine and use flaxseed eggs to make it vegan-friendly.
Nut-free version: Simply omit nuts or swap for seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for safe snacking.
Spiced rum soak: Add a splash of spiced rum to the dried fruits for extra depth and holiday spirit.
Citrus burst: Include extra orange zest or lemon peel to brighten the flavor profile.

Easy Christmas Cake Traybake for Festive Joy

How to Make Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

Step 1: Prepare the dried fruits

Begin by soaking your dried mixed fruit in warm orange juice or a splash of brandy for at least an hour; this boosts moisture and intensifies their natural sweetness.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until fluffy and light, creating a base that ensures a moist, tender crumb.

Step 3: Add eggs and flavorings

Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the cinnamon, mixed spice, and orange zest (if using), stirring until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Mix dry ingredients and fruit

Gently fold in the self-raising flour, nuts (if using), and soaked dried fruits until evenly distributed without overmixing.

Step 5: Transfer and bake

Pour the batter into a lined or greased rectangular baking tray, smoothing the top evenly, then bake at 160°C (320°F) for 45-55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and serve

Allow the cake to cool completely in the tray before slicing into squares to reveal the beautifully dense, festive interior perfect for sharing.

Pro Tips for Making Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

Use room temperature ingredients: Helps to blend everything smoothly for a better rise and texture.
Don’t overmix the batter: Keeps the crumb light and prevents a dense cake.
Line your tray carefully: Use parchment paper with overhangs to make removing the cake from the tray effortless.
Test bake with a skewer: Insert a skewer in the center to check if it comes out clean before removing from the oven.
Let the cake rest: Cooling fully improves flavor and makes slicing much easier.

How to Serve Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

Garnishes

Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze made from orange juice and icing sugar for an elegant, festive finish. Fresh cranberries or edible gold stars also add a charming visual touch.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside whipped cream, brandy butter, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent holiday dessert experience. A warm cup of spiced tea or mulled wine complements the cake’s rich flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange slices on a rustic wooden board or festive platter and intersperse with sprigs of holly or rosemary for a natural, seasonal look that invites sharing and celebration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Easy Christmas Cake Traybake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful for your holiday gatherings.

Freezing

Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag; frozen cake will keep well for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds to bring back that freshly baked taste and a soft, comforting texture perfect for cold winter evenings.

FAQs

Can I make the Easy Christmas Cake Traybake in advance?

Absolutely! This cake actually benefits from resting as the flavors develop beautifully after a day or two, making it a great make-ahead dessert.

What can I substitute if I don’t have self-raising flour?

Use plain flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup as a simple substitute to help the cake rise properly.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, swap the butter for dairy-free margarine and use a plant-based milk if your version calls for milk or juice in the soaking step.

How do I prevent the cake from drying out?

Ensuring the cake is stored in an airtight container and not overbaked will keep it moist; soaking dried fruits beforehand also adds extra moisture to the final bake.

Can I add extra spices for a stronger flavor?

Definitely! Feel free to adjust the cinnamon and mixed spice quantities or add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to suit your taste preferences.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake is a festive baking gem that combines convenience with all the cozy, heartwarming flavors of the season. Whether you’re baking for a big family gathering or a small holiday get-together, this recipe promises delicious results that everyone will love. So gather your ingredients, fire up your oven, and enjoy spreading the festive joy with a delightful slice of holiday goodness.

Easy Christmas Cake Traybake

Print Recipe

Enjoy a festive and easy-to-make Christmas Cake Traybake filled with warm spices, succulent dried fruits, and optional nuts. This moist and richly flavored cake is perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season. Simple preparation and versatile variations make it ideal for busy cooks looking to spread holiday joy effortlessly.

Author: Elena
Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British
Diet: Flexible (Gluten Free, Vegan, Nut-free options available)

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Nuts

200g dried mixed fruit (raisins, sultanas, cherries, citrus peel)
Optional: 50g chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds) or seeds for nut-free version

Wet Ingredients

150g unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based margarine for vegan)
100ml milk or orange juice (for soaking and moisture)
3 eggs (or flaxseed eggs for vegan alternative)
Optional: splash of brandy or spiced rum for soaking fruits

Dry Ingredients

200g self-raising flour (or gluten-free flour blend as substitute)
150g brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
Optional: zest of 1 orange or lemon for citrus burst

Instructions

Prepare the dried fruits: Soak the dried mixed fruit in warm orange juice or a splash of brandy/spiced rum for at least one hour to boost moisture and intensify sweetness.
Cream butter and sugar: Beat softened butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl until fluffy and light, ensuring a moist and tender crumb.
Add eggs and flavorings: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in ground cinnamon, mixed spice, and orange or lemon zest if using until well combined.
Mix dry ingredients and fruit: Gently fold in self-raising flour, chopped nuts or seeds if using, and the soaked dried fruits, mixing just until evenly distributed without overmixing.
Transfer and bake: Pour batter into a lined or greased rectangular baking tray, smooth the top evenly, and bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 45-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the tray before slicing into squares to reveal a dense, festive interior perfect for sharing.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for smoother blending and better texture.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the crumb light and avoid a dense cake.
Line your baking tray with parchment paper with overhangs to remove the cake easily.
Test doneness by inserting a skewer in the center; it should come out clean.
Allow the cake to cool fully before slicing to improve flavor and ease of cutting.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in fridge before serving.
Warm slices gently in a low oven or microwave to refresh texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 60g)
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 90 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: Christmas cake, traybake, festive dessert, dried fruit cake, holiday baking, easy Christmas cake, moist cake, spiced cake