Best 3 Heap Family Christmas Cake Recipes

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with the Heap Family Christmas Cake, a festive treat steeped in tradition. This iconic cake, passed down through generations, holds a special place in the hearts of many families during the holiday season. Originating in England, the Heap Family Christmas Cake boasts a rich history and distinctive flavors that have stood the test of time. As you explore this article, you'll discover not just one, but a collection of carefully curated recipes that capture the essence of this beloved cake. From the classic traditional recipe to variations that cater to different dietary preferences, this article offers a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect Heap Family Christmas Cake that will impress your loved ones and create lasting memories. Whether you prefer a traditional fruitcake, a gluten-free alternative, or a vegan interpretation, you'll find the perfect recipe here to suit your taste and dietary needs.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CHRISTMAS CAKE

Christmas Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 1h45m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

1/2 pound unsalted butter
1/2 pound light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
6 eggs
6 ounces fresh bread crumbs
6 ounces flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup rum
1 pint Port
4 cups mixed marinated fruit, recipe follows, squeezed and finely chopped
1 pound black raisins
1 pound golden raisins
1 pound prunes, cut in quarters or eighths, depending on size
4 cinnamon sticks
2 vanilla beans, split
Jamaican white rum
Jamaican spiced rum
Port

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla, lime juice, and lime zest. Add the eggs 1 at a time, and incorporate well. Combine bread crumbs, flour, all the spices, baking powder, and salt. Combine rum and port. Add flour mixture alternately with rum/port mixture into the batter. Fold in the chopped marinated fruit.
Prepare 1 (9-inch) cake pan or 2 spring form pans by lining bottom and sides with parchment paper. Fill the pan 3/4 of the way and bake until a skewer comes out of the center of the cake clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Put raisins, prunes, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla beans in a glass jar and cover with mixture of equal parts Jamaican white rum, Jamaican spiced rum, and Port. Cover with a tight fitting lid, label, and date the jar. Put in a cool, dry cupboard. From time to time, check the fruits to see if more liquor is needed, as the fruits will plump and soak up the liquid.
Keep the fruit covered in liquor. It is best to allow the fruit to marinate for at least 1 month for best flavor.

HEAP FAMILY LIGHT CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Heap Family Light Christmas Pudding image

Rather than the traditional dark Christmas pudding, made months in advance and fed with alcohol, this can be made a couple of days before Christmas, and is far less boozy!

Provided by Boo L

Categories Dessert

Time 7h30m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 orange rind
1 lemon rind
1 carrot, grated
4 ounces glace cherries
12 ounces mixed dried fruit
50 ml Grand Marnier
150 ml brandy
175 g vegetable suet
1/4 lb self raising flour
5 ounces muscovado sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice (mixed)
175 g white breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten

Steps:

Grease and line a glass 2pt basin or use a plastic basin with a ready made lid.
Soak the orange and lemon rind, grated carrot, cherries and fruit in the spirits for at least an hour, but preferably overnight.
Mix together the suet, flour, sugar, mixed spice and breadcrumbs.
Add this to the fruit mix, and beat in 2 eggs.
Transfer this to the basin, leaving an inch at the top.
Cover the top of the basin with baking parchment and use the plastic lid or a double layer of foil.
Steam over a low heat (watching carefully so that it doesn't run out of water!) or in a slow cooker for 7 hours. Alternatively cook for 5 hours when you make it, and then for a further 2 on Christmas day to warm up.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 31, Sodium 105.1, Carbohydrate 53.5, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 20.3, Protein 3.9

HEAP FAMILY CHRISTMAS CAKE

Heap Family Christmas Cake image

The British tradition is for a very dark fruitcake, with marzipan and icing, but we've always made this rather lighter version instead. You can make it the day before you want to eat it (rather than ages in advance) and it keeps for a couple of months wrapped in tin foil. We also never put nuts in, although similar recipes contain a handful of almonds or walnuts. The "mixed fruit" referred to in the ingredients is a mixture of raisins, sultanas, mixed peel, and maybe other things like currants. It's just something we buy ready mixed.

Provided by Boo L

Categories Dessert

Time 3h20m

Yield 60 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

15 ounces crushed pineapple
1 1/2 lbs mixed dried fruit
1/2 lb glace cherries
1/2 lb butter
12 ounces soft brown sugar
3 medium eggs, beaten
1/2 lb plain flour
1/2 lb self raising flour
2 teaspoons mixed spice

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 150C (300F / Gas mark 2) and line a deep 9 inch (23cm) square tin with a double layer of baking parchment (this should protrude over the top of the edges of the tin).
Melt the butter over the stove, and mix in the pineapple, mixed fruit, cherries and sugar. These should be kept over a high heat until the mixture begins to boil, and the sugar is completely dissolved. This can take 5 minutes.
Cool the mixture until it is look warm (or else the eggs will scramble).
Sift together the two kinds of flour and mixed spice.
Beat the eggs and the flour mixture into the sugar-fruit mixture.
Transfer the entire mixture into the lined tin.
Cut a double piece of brown paper the same size as the tin to act as a lid, with a small air vent in the centre.
Wrap the outside of the tin in a double layer of baking parchment. This will help to stop the cake from catching.
Bake for 3 hours (and skewer test to check it is completely done - the skewer should come out clean).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 123.4, Fat 3.4, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 16.3, Sodium 37.7, Carbohydrate 22.9, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 9.6, Protein 1.4

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the taste of your cake. Try to use organic or sustainably-sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Bake the cake at a low temperature. This will help to prevent the cake from drying out and becoming overcooked.
Use a bundt pan. A bundt pan will give your cake a beautiful shape and help to distribute the heat evenly.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting. You can also place the cake in the refrigerator or freezer for a few hours before frosting to make it easier to handle.
Decorate your cake with your favorite toppings. You can use fresh fruit, nuts, candy, or sprinkles. Whatever you choose, make sure to have fun with it!

Conclusion:

This Heap Family Christmas Cake is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for any holiday gathering. With its moist, flavorful cake and creamy frosting, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone. So gather your ingredients and get baking!