Air Fryer Christmas Cake

Making a Christmas Cake in the air fryer is a modern twist on the traditional holiday dessert — faster, with less energy used, but still rich, moist, and packed with festive flavors like dried fruit, warm spices, and a hint of brandy or rum.

Here’s a perfect Air Fryer Christmas Cake recipe that captures all the nostalgic flavors while keeping things efficient and simple.

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🎄 Air Fryer Christmas Cake

🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🍰 Cook Time: 60–75 minutes
❄️ Mature Time (optional): 1–3 weeks for deeper flavor
🍽️ Serves: 8–10

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🧾 Ingredients

Dry Fruit Mix (prep ahead if possible):

• 1 cup raisins

• 1 cup currants or sultanas

• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots or dates

• 1/2 cup chopped glacé cherries

• Zest of 1 orange

• 1/4 cup brandy, rum, or orange juice (soak overnight if possible)

Cake Batter:

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves or allspice

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup ground almonds (optional for richness)

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🧁 Instructions

1. Prep the Fruit:

• Soak dried fruit in brandy or juice overnight (or microwave for 2 minutes and let sit for 15 minutes if in a hurry).

2. Make the Batter:

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.

3. Fold in flour, baking powder, spices, salt, and ground almonds.

4. Stir in soaked fruit and orange zest.

3. Prepare the Air Fryer:

• Preheat air fryer to 300°F (150°C).

• Grease and line a 6-inch round cake tin (make sure it fits in your air fryer basket).

• Spoon in the batter and smooth the top.

4. Air Fry:

• Cover the top of the cake loosely with foil (to prevent burning).

• Bake for 60–75 minutes, checking after 50 minutes. A skewer should come out clean when done.

• If browning too much on top, keep it covered with foil.

5. Cool & (Optional) Mature:

• Let the cake cool completely.

• For a traditional mature flavor: poke holes and brush with brandy every few days, then wrap in baking parchment and foil, and store in an airtight tin.

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🎁 Tips:

• Add chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds) for crunch.

• Top with marzipan and royal icing for a classic finish.

• Great as a last-minute Christmas cake if you’re short on oven space.

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Would you like a gluten-free, eggless, or mini loaf version for gifting?