Prep
30 minsBake
2.5-3 hrsServes
Difficulty
Medium About
For a great alternative to the traditional English crumb, try Eric Lanlard's Chocolate and Orange Christmas Cake. This is still packed full of luscious dried fruits and festive spices, but benefits from the delicious addition of orange liqueur and rich dark chocolate.
Put raisins into bowl and cover with orange liqueur. Cover the bowl and set aside for 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 150C/gas mark 2. Grease and line a 22cm spring form cake tin.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. If the mixture looks like it is going to split, add a small amount of flour.
Melt chocolate in a bowl over hot water and add it to butter, sugar and egg mixture. Sift in the flour, mixed spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, and stir. Add lemon juice and orange liqueur, and mix together.
Gently fold in the soaked raisins, sultanas, peel, cherries, walnuts and hazelnuts. Spoon the mix into your greased and lined spring form cake tin.
Bake the cake for 2 and a half to 3 hours, depending on your oven. Test whether cakes are cooked with a skewer - if it comes out clean the cake is done. Cool on a wire rack, then spray with more alcohol and wrap in cling film until ready to decorate.
Decorate the top with fruits and nuts. Warm apricot gelee and, using a pastry brush, glaze fruits and nuts. Add chocolate fans and highlight with a gold leaf.
Ingredients β 17 items
1
For the Cake
Raisins
golden
Sultanas
seedless
Mixed peel
Orange liqueur
plus extra for soaking
Unsalted butter
Tate & Lyle’s Pure Cane Dark Brown Soft Sugar
Molasse sugar
Large eggs
Plain flour
sifted
Dark chocolate
good-quality & high cocoa content
Ground mixed spice
Ground Cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Lemon
juice
Glace cherry
Walnuts
halves
Hazelnuts
whole, roasted
For the Decoration
Mixed glace fruits
orange slices, apricot, cherries, etc
Mixed nuts
walnuts, pecans, peeled pistachios
Rate this recipe!
Share your thoughts or advice
Good job, now enjoy!
Don't forget to share your creation using our hashtags in the chance to get featured.
There`s nothing quite like homemade blackberry jam. β¨
Made with Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Cane Jam Sugar with Pectin, it`s the perfect way to capture the taste of the season.
Find the recipe via the link in our bio.
Time to upgrade your morning coffee? ββ¨
From smooth Vanilla to rich Caramel and warming Cinnamon, Tate & Lyle Flavouring Syrups make it easy to bring coffee-shop quality to your home brew.
Which flavour will brighten up your morning?
A classic dessert that never disappoints πβοΈ
Make the perfect Easy Eton Mess with Tate & Lyle Pure Cane Caster Sugar for beautifully sweet meringue, fresh berries and fluffy cream.
Find the full recipe on our website β link in bio.
Treat yourself to something a little different π©β¨
These Mini Ricotta Doughnuts are irresistibly soft, perfectly sweet and ideal for sharing with family and friends. Finished with a dusting of Tate & Lyle icing sugar, they`re guaranteed to disappear fast!
Ready to get baking? Find the full recipe on our website β link in bio.
Bank holiday plans? Make them minty fresh πΏβ¨
Shake up a refreshing mocktail with Tate & Lyle Mint Flavouring Syrup β the perfect sip for a long weekend!
Our syrup range are available on Amazon and at sugarandsyrup.com
Looking for a fun summer activity? πͺβοΈ
Get baking with homemade cookies β simple, delicious and perfect for making memories together.
Whatβs your favourite cookie flavour?
BBQ season is here βοΈπ’
Fire up the grill and try our delicious Summer Chicken Kebabs, made with Tate & Lyle Dark Brown Soft Sugar for a rich, caramelised flavour that`s perfect for outdoor dining.
Whether you`re hosting friends or enjoying a family BBQ, these kebabs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Find the full recipe on our website β link in bio.
Afternoon Tea Week calls for freshly baked scones. βπ
To help you stock up, enjoy 10% off Tate & Lyle Sugar Cubes, Sugar Sticks and 3kg Demerara on our Sugar & Syrup website.
Offer limited to Tate & Lyle Demerara 3kg, Sugar Cubes and Sugar Sticks. Offer ends 21.08.2026. While stocks last. UK only. 18+.
Our Products
View all products
