Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake Bites is made with apricots, brandy, butter, light brown sugar, eggs, plain flour, raisins, currants, cherries, almond paste, and white icing. This traditional Christmas Cake Bites recipe creates a delicious treat that takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 28 people.
Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites Ingredients
For the Cakes:
- 175g (6 oz) apricots, chopped
- 3 tablespoons brandy
- 175g (6 oz) butter, softened
- 175g (6 oz) light brown sugar
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 175g (6 oz) plain flour
- 225g (8 oz) raisins
- 225g (8 oz) currants
- 225g (8 oz) cherries, quartered, washed, and dried
For the Icing and Decoration:
- A little apricot jam warmed
- 500g (1 lb 2 oz) packet ready-prepared almond paste (Golden Marzipan)
- 500g (1 lb 2 oz) packet ready-to-roll white icing
How To Make Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 160ºC/Fan 140º/Gas 3. Grease and line a 30 × 20cm (12 × 8 in) traybake tin with non-stick baking paper.
- Soak the Apricots: Measure the apricots into a small bowl, pour over the brandy, and leave to soak overnight or until all of the brandy is absorbed.
- Make the Cake Mixture: Cream the butter and sugar together using an electric hand whisk until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level the top.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 1–1¼ hours until golden brown. Insert a skewer to test – if it comes out clean, the cake is cooked. Set aside to cool.
- Decorate the Cake: Brush the top of the cake with apricot jam, then roll out a rectangle of marzipan the same size as the top of the cake. Lay this on top of the cake, and brush the marzipan with a little more jam. Roll out a rectangle of icing the same size as the cake, and cover the marzipan with the icing.
- Serve: Slice into squares and serve with a cup of tea.
Recipe Tips
- Soak the Apricots Well: Ensure the apricots are soaked in brandy overnight so they absorb the flavor and stay moist during baking.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother batter.
- Check the Cake Early: Start checking the cake for doneness at the 1-hour mark to prevent overbaking. The cake should be golden brown and a skewer should come out clean.
- Smooth the Icing: Roll out the icing and marzipan evenly to avoid lumps and wrinkles on the cake surface. Use a rolling pin and lightly dust the surface with icing sugar to prevent sticking.
- Let the Cake Cool Completely: Ensure the cake is fully cooled before applying the marzipan and icing. This helps prevent the icing from melting or sliding off.
What To Serve With Christmas Cake Bites?
These Christmas Cake Bites pair well with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. They can also be enjoyed alongside fresh fruit, such as apples or pears, for a tasty treat.
How To Store Leftovers Christmas Cake Bites?
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover Christmas Cake Bites cool to room temperature. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: After cooling, place the cake bites in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature for a few hours before eating.
How To Reheat Leftovers Christmas Cake Bites?
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 160ºC/325ºF. Place the cake bites on a baking sheet and heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.
- In The Microwave: Place the cake bites on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 15-20 seconds, checking frequently to avoid overheating.
Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 20mg
- Potassium: 100mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Try More Mary Berry Recipes:
- Mary Berry Pea And Mint Soup
- Mary Berry Apple And Almond Cake
- Mary Berry Parmentier Potatoes
- Mary Berry All Bran Tea Bread
Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
Description
Mary Berry’s Christmas Cake Bites is made with apricots, brandy, butter, light brown sugar, eggs, plain flour, raisins, currants, cherries, almond paste, and white icing. This traditional Christmas Cake Bites recipe creates a delicious treat that takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 28 people.
Ingredients
For the Cakes:
For the Icing and Decoration:
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 160ºC/Fan 140º/Gas 3. Grease and line a 30 × 20cm (12 × 8 in) traybake tin with non-stick baking paper.
- Soak the Apricots: Measure the apricots into a small bowl, pour over the brandy, and leave to soak overnight or until all of the brandy is absorbed.
- Make the Cake Mixture: Cream the butter and sugar together using an electric hand whisk until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level the top.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 1–1¼ hours until golden brown. Insert a skewer to test – if it comes out clean, the cake is cooked. Set aside to cool.
- Decorate the Cake: Brush the top of the cake with apricot jam, then roll out a rectangle of marzipan the same size as the top of the cake. Lay this on top of the cake, and brush the marzipan with a little more jam. Roll out a rectangle of icing the same size as the cake, and cover the marzipan with the icing.
- Serve: Slice into squares and serve with a cup of tea.
Notes
- Soak the Apricots Well: Ensure the apricots are soaked in brandy overnight so they absorb the flavor and stay moist during baking.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother batter.
- Check the Cake Early: Start checking the cake for doneness at the 1-hour mark to prevent overbaking. The cake should be golden brown and a skewer should come out clean.
- Smooth the Icing: Roll out the icing and marzipan evenly to avoid lumps and wrinkles on the cake surface. Use a rolling pin and lightly dust the surface with icing sugar to prevent sticking.
- Let the Cake Cool Completely: Ensure the cake is fully cooled before applying the marzipan and icing. This helps prevent the icing from melting or sliding off.
Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites