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+ servings

Marzipan Fruit Cake – A Quick and Easy Christmas Cake

A quick and flavorful Christmas cake made withdried fruits, marzipan, and festive spices, perfect for a last-minute holidaytreat.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 352 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 180 g tinned pineapple drained and chopped
  • 150 g glace cherries
  • 150 grams of maraschino cocktail cherries refer to notes for details
  • 180 g dried apricots chopped
  • 120 g raisins
  • 120 g sultanas
  • 75 g prunes chopped
  • 30 g crystallized ginger chopped
  • 8 teaspoons dark rum
  • 100 g golden marzipan chopped into small pieces
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 200 g butter softened
  • 200 g golden caster sugar
  • 4 large eggs free-range
  • 200 g plain all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Garnish:

  • 30 whole blanched almonds
  • 3 maraschino cherries

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Fruit Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped pineapple, glace cherries, maraschino cherries, dried apricots, raisins, sultanas, prunes, and crystallized ginger. Pour the dark rum over the fruit, stir to coat, and let sit for at least 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a round cake tin (about 8 inches) with parchment paper.
  • Prepare the Batter: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and golden caster sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
  • Combine the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and ground nutmeg. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture by folding them together.
  • Add Zests and Marzipan: Stir in the lemon and orange zest, then gently fold in the soaked fruit mixture and marzipan pieces until evenly distributed.
  • Bake the Cake: Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Arrange the blanched almonds and maraschino cherries on top as a decorative garnish. Bake for 1.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center emerges clean. If the top begins to brown too rapidly, lightly cover it with foil.
  • Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing. Serve it as is, or wrap in parchment and foil to store for up to a week. This cake is delicious on its own or served with a dollop of whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal
Keyword Christmas fruit cake
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