HOW TO SOAK FRUITS FOR CHRISTMAS CAKE? No Alcohol Fruit Cake. soaking dry fruits is a very easy thing to do. If you like rich, fruit cake, you’ll love to do this. Making rich fruit cake from scratch is a fantastic experience. 

 

I’m sharing my version here, the way I soak dry fruits for Rich Fruit cake every year. I’ll post the fruit cake recipe shortly. This post is a detailed guide on How To Soak Fruits for Christmas Fruit Cake. The choice of fruits and the proportions in the recipe below are similar for soaking in alcohol or in a non-alcoholic liquid, and I have given the steps for both types (the timelines for a non-alcoholic liquid are given at the end of this write up). The timelines do differ, as well as how to preserve the fruits for the cake till it is baked. My responses to comments below the post may answer any questions you have, but if not, feel free to ask. I will be happy to help.

Table of Content Why Plum cake on Christmas? HOW TO SOAK FRUIT FOR CHRISTMAS CAKE?  My collection of Christmas fruit cakes

WHY NEED TO SOAK FRUITS FOR CHRISTMAS CAKE?

This post is a detailed guide on How To Soak Fruits for Christmas Fruit Cake. The choice of fruits and the proportions in the recipe below are similar for soaking in alcohol or in an non alcoholic liquid, and I have given the steps for both types.

Soaking dried fruit for Cake is best done 6-7 weeks prior to making the Cake. Learn how to soak fruits at home to make the best Christmas fruit cake.

Why Plum cakes are made during Christmas?

Christmas Plum cakes are my favourite eats. I had been wanting to make the traditional cake at home, but But before I do that I want my nuts and fruits to absorb all th goodness of orange juice and spices and for that, the first thing I had to learn was the best way to soak fruits for Christmas Fruit Cake.

 I don’t know whether it’s early or late to soak the fruits,  all I know is Christmas is on its way and the reason  to make me happy.

Christmas? Now? You must be wondering why am I talking about Christmas right now!

But trust me, this is the right time for soaking fruits for Christmas Cake, so that they absorb all the flavours and your cake is a notch higher than the regular cakes.

It’s best to soak your fruits at least 6-7 weeks before the making of the cake. I usually soak mine around Diwali.

But this time, I am visiting my home town for the festival, so soaked my fruits and nuts two weeks earlier.

But keep one thing in mind, it’s never too early to soak your fruits.

You can keep the jar in the refrigerator for up to a year. So go ahead and chop yours.

Traditional Plum Cake recipe:

Traditional Christmas fruitcake is very moist and delicate cake with mild spices and fully loaded with juicy dry fruits and nuts. In fact the core ingredients of this cake are different dried fruits with nuts & raisins and there is not restrictions on the quantity though. Flour & other ingredients are only used to bind these fruits together.

 

So what are you waiting for grab some dry fruits, spices and fruit juice to get the best no alcohol Christmas fruit cake.

HOW TO SOAK FRUITS FOR CHRISTMAS CAKE? No Alcohol Fruit Cake

 

The one and only trick is to keep the fruits moist and juicy before baking. For that fruits need to be soaked in alcohol (preferable brandy; rum. sherry also works well) or fruit juice like I just did. Few people soak for a year and few soak for a 1 month. Most of them stat soaking fruits and nuts around thanks giving day.

 

My collection of Christmas fruit cakes

 

 

Eggless Christmas Cake in Pressure Cooker

Christmas Fruit Cake

Eggless no soak Christmas Fruit Cake

Eggless Christmas cake

The one and only trick is to keep the fruits moist and juicy before baking. For that fruits need to be soaked in alcohol (preferable brandy; rum. sherry also works well) or fruit juice like I just did. Few people soak for a year and few soak for a 1 month. Most of them stat soaking fruits and nuts around thanks giving day.

So what are you waiting for grab some dry fruits, spices and fruit juice to get the best no alcohol Christmas fruit cake.

For step by step instruction of soaking dried fruits and nuts check out the video

Notes HOW TO SOAK FRUITS FOR CHRISTMAS CAKE? No Alcohol Fruit Cake:

 

• For an alcoholic version, soak the dried fruits in Rum, brandy and store at room temperature. You can soak more than a Year.
• You may use other dried fruits, candied peel, candied fruits, etc. The total quantity should be around 500 grams for a 2.5 kg fruit cake
• Rum-soaked dried fruits can be stored for up to a year. Technically, you can even soak the fruits in alcohol at the beginning of the year.

 

Tips:

1. For the soaking purpose, only glass jar/bowls should be used as alcohol might react with other materials.

2. Generally I prefer to cut the sultanas and currents into halves and other fruits into quarters depending on their size.

3. Within one (or two) day, the amount of alcohol will be reduced (depending on how dry your area is). Don’t panic; it’s natural because fruits will absorb the alcohol. 

4. If you cover the open surface of the container with cling film tightly and then cover with the lid. It will ensure the container as airtight.

5. Make sure the fruit soaked container doesn’t get direct sunlight at all.

6. It is preferable to stir/shake the soaked fruits to keep them moist evenly. Otherwise, the uncovered fruits will dry up. Add ¼ cup more brandy (or the alcohol you are using) at a time into the mixture, if needed.