Christmas Cake Traybake easy crowdpleasing bake with moist layers simple glaze festive pres holiday gatherings for celebrations Serves big crowds
Ingredients
Scale
230 grams of unsalted butter, softened
200 grams of light brown sugar
3 large eggs
240 grams self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground mixed spice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
120 grams mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, cranberries)
100 grams chopped walnuts or pecans
Zest of 1 orange
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons dark treacle or golden syrup
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1–2 tablespoons milk to loosen batter if needed
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 170°C (fan 150°C/325°F). Line a large baking tray (about 23×33 cm) with parchment, letting a little overhang for easy lifting.
In a big bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until pale, fluffy, and scented with a hint of vanilla if you like (about 2–3 minutes).
Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour with each addition to stop the mixture from curdling. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Sift the flour with baking powder, cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until just combined.
Stir in the orange zest, orange juice, dried fruit, nuts, and treacle until everything is evenly distributed and the batter looks glossy and speckled with color.
If the batter seems a touch stiff, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to loosen it to a thick, spoonable consistency.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared tray and bake for 45–55 minutes. You’re aiming for a deep golden top and a skewer that comes out with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too quickly, tent with a light foil sheet for the last 10–15 minutes.
Cool in the tray on a rack for 15 minutes, then lift out using the parchment overhang and let cool completely before slicing into squares. For a simple glaze, you can drizzle a thin lemon icing or dust with icing sugar.
For a simple glaze, drizzle lemon icing or dust with icing sugar before serving.
Notes
A warm, cozy one-bowl Christmas traybake infused with orange and cinnamon, packed with festive dried fruit and nuts. Feeds a crowd, stays moist, and slices into generous squares for holiday sharing.
