Careers
10/12/19

The Tessuti Family Christmas Cake Recipe

Our gift to you...

Table with assorted foods, candles, flowers, and Christmas cake. Vase with floral arrangement in background.

Traditions begin in the home— they are passed around and down through generations from person to person. In the spirit of the season we share with you, our Tessuti Family Christmas Cake recipe, in hope that it will play a small part in the story of your Christmas Day. It is an all in one pot, no fuss, cake that is utterly delicious and has been a family favourite for many years. We hope you love it as much as we do! See below for the recipe and for a simple homemade cinnamon butter to serve it with...

Wishing you glad tidings of great joy (and lots of cake and wine!) as you celebrate the season. Shop all Dining, here.

Person slicing bread on wooden board. Empty champagne flute nearby, white flowers in foreground.
Wooden platter with cheese, grapes, and pistachios. Bowl of flatbreads and Christmas cake on round plate.
Cheese platter on white tablecloth. Christmas cake, wine glass, and outdoor dining setting visible.
Person breaking candied brittle over table. Star-shaped bowl with seeds, vase of blue flowers, and table settings.
Two people at food-laden table. One holding white plate, other reaching to take it.

The Tessuti Family Christmas Cake Recipe

The Tessuti Family Christmas Cake

—1.6kg mixed dried fruit(4x 400g pkts)

—1/4 cup candied orange peel

—1/4 cup glace cherries

—1 tsp mixed spice

—1 tsp cinnamon

—1 tsp baking soda

—1 TB golden syrup

—1 tsp vanilla

—1 tsp almond essence

—1 cup sugar

—1x 450g tin crushed pineapple, undrained

—125g butter

Put all these ingredients in a large pot. cover, bring to the boil, boil 10 minutes. Leave to cool.

Sift 2 cups high grade flour with 1 tsp baking powder. Stir this into the fruit mix with 2 beaten eggs.

Put into 23-24cm square tin (or 21 x 26cm tin) lined well with baking paper. Smooth top. (We used a wooden Baking Box 23x23cm These are made in New Zealand from renewable pine and stainless steel screws, both of which will guarantee you many years of happy fruitcake baking!)

Topping: Chopped red and/or green cherries. Chopped pecans (or walnuts), blanched almonds. Press in slightly to the top of the cake.

Bake 140C or slightly less. Do not fan-bake. Takes about 3 - 31/2 hours.

Table with flatbreads, nut-decorated dessert, cheese board, and decorative items. Folded cloths visible.
Outdoor table with Christmas cake, blue flowers, pomegranate seeds, and various dishes on white tablecloth.
Two people serving themselves at outdoor table. Cheese, dried grapes, nuts, and Christmas cake visible.
Person holding plate with fruit cake slice. Table with lace tablecloth and various foods in background.

If you would like to ice the cake...

Butter icing for Christmas Cake

—175g butter

—500g icing sugar

—3 TB brandy

—2 tsp vanilla

Cream butter with sifted icing sugar, add brandy & vanilla. Beat well. (can be made in a food processor)

Alternatively...

Serve with Cinnamon Butter

—500g of organic butter at room temperature

—1 TB of cinnamon

—1 TB of mixed spice

—A pinch of salt

In a metal mixing bowel place the butter, cinnamon, mixed spice and salt. With a fork work the ingredients together until evenly spread. Place a sheet of baking paper (about 20cm in length) on your kitchen bench. Scoop the cinnamon butter across the bottom of the paper in an even line, leaving enough room at each end to twist the sides. Roll the log of butter to the end of the paper, twist sides and place in fridge to set until serving. (This can be made many days in advance!)

Outdoor table with cheese platter, desserts, flowers, candles, and wine glasses on white tablecloth with yellow plates.

Festive Feasting

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