Mary Berry's Christmas Cake Bites That Wow Every Holiday Table

Mary Berry's Christmas cake bites are a delightful festive treat that combine sweet fruity flavors in a charming bite-sized form.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1 15

Cooling Time 15

Total Time 2

Servings: 12 bites

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: British

Calories: 150

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

For the Cake Mixture

175 g apricots, chopped Can substitute with other dried fruits like figs or dates.
3 tablespoons brandy For a non-alcoholic option, use apple juice.
175 g butter, softened Opt for unsalted butter for better control over salt level.
175 g light brown sugar Granulated sugar can be used for a lighter flavor.
4 eggs, beaten For an egg-free alternative, consider flaxseed or chia eggs.
175 g plain flour Use a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
225 g raisins Chopped nuts can be a delightful alternative.
225 g currants Sultanas work as a suitable substitute.
225 g cherries, quartered, washed, and dried Dried cranberries make a great swap.

For the Decoration

A little apricot jam, warmed Feel free to swap with any fruit jam or syrup.
500 g ready-prepared almond paste (Golden Marzipan) Fondant can substitute, or skip for a simpler finish.
500 g ready-to-roll white icing Omit for a rustic appearance if desired.

Equipment

mixing bowl
electric whisk
traybake tin
Spatula
wire rack

Method

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 160ºC (Fan 140ºC/Gas 3) and grease and line a 30 × 20 cm (12 × 8 in) traybake tin with baking paper.
Soak the chopped apricots in a bowl and pour the brandy over them, allowing them to soak overnight.
Cream the softened butter and light brown sugar with an electric whisk until smooth and fluffy.
Fold in the soaked apricots with the beaten eggs, plain flour, raisins, currants, and cherries.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 1 to 1¼ hours or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Brush with warmed apricot jam, cover with almond paste, and then with white icing for decoration.
Slice into squares and serve alongside a cup of tea or coffee.

Nutrition

Serving: 1biteCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Consider preparing the cake up to two days in advance. They keep well and can be frozen without marzipan or icing, allowing for flexible holiday planning.

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