Decadent, easy, and fun to make: Try your hand at small-batch Christmas cake mixing at home

Small-batch cake mixing is the perfect way to bake sweet treats for your family without the hassle of leftovers. Baking in smaller batches ensures your cake is moist, while it also allows you to experiment with flavours. Here’s how to create a show-stopping dessert at home:

‘Pick an assortment of dried fruits and nuts’

Dry fruits make the base of all Christmas cake mixes. Baker Ananya Ray suggests going for an assortment of dried fruits like raisins, currants, cranberries, tutti frutti mix, murabba, candied ginger and orange peels, figs, cherries and apricots. “Add almonds, walnuts, and pecans for texture and richness. Don’t forget spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to add warmth,” she shares.

Use sterilised glass containers to store the mixture
Opt for airtight glass bowls and sterilise them before starting. Avoid using plastic containers as they can absorb flavours and also transfer toxins to the mix. Once done, store it in a cool, dark place, stirring occasionally to evenly distribute the flavours, ensuring a perfectly infused mixture for your Christmas cake.

This mix can be stored for up to a year in the refrigerator. Once baked, let it rest before eating to get the best flavours
– Ananya Ray, owner of a bakery

Pop it in the oven
Once your cake mix has soaked for at least a week, pick your favourite pound cake recipe and begin. First, add some warm spices to the dry ingredients, and then make the batter with wet ingredients. Finally, fold in the sweetmeat mix to give a depth of flavour.

Allow the cake to mature for a deeper flavour. Soak the fruits for at least a week for them to absorb the flavours and ensure a moist cake – Khyati Saraf, owner of a bakery

Skip the booze

While traditionally alcohol like rum, brandy, or whiskey is used to add the signature flavour to the cake, one can easily substitute these and bake a non-alcoholic version. Khyati Saraf says, “Pick apple or orange juice to soak in the fruits. This adds flavour and softens them, resulting in a more tender cake.”