This is a delicious no-bake Christmas cake fruit and nut style. It works a treat for everyone, especially anyone who eats gluten-free, vegan or wants something without refined sugar.
First I’ll show you how to make the Christmas cake using a base of nuts, dried fruits and warming spice. Next, I’ll demonstrate how to ice it. You will use cashews and a hint of maple syrup for the icing!
Every morsel is healthy.
How do I make a no-bake Christmas cake?
First of all, let me say that you can’t go wrong with a no-bake cake! No baking is needed. That means no over or under baking, or getting the ingredients wrong so it fails. It also has the benefit of having lots of wiggle room for play and adaptation.
Use a food processor (plus what to use if you don’t have a food processor)
You will need a food processor to make it. If you don’t have a food processor, however, then you can get away with a jug blender or a bullet blender. (See notes on how to adapt if you are using a blender instead).
If you don’t have a blender at all you can use pre-ground almonds!
The main part of the cake involves grinding down your nuts. I use almonds and walnuts. If you would rather use another nut then you can swap them out for any nut.
Using dried fruits for no-bake cake
You can use any dried fruits to make this cake. I went for apricots, sultanas and dates. Other dried fruits that work include figs and raisins. A mix works nicely. It works if you use all dates.
You soak the dried fruit in orange juice. This softens the fruit while absorbing the zingy orange flavour.
Can I make my no-bake Christmas cake nut-free?
Yes, you can! If you don’t want to use nuts then do a direct swap for any ratio of sunflower seed, pumpkin seed or shelled hemp seed. I do this when I am catering for anyone who is not able to eat nuts.
Nuts yield the finest result if you are able to use them. However, seeds will still make a very delicious no bake cake.
No Bake Christmas Cake - gluten-free vegan
My no bake xmas cake recipe. Made using dried fruits and nuts with warming spices.
Ingredients
- 300g dried chopped fruit
- 200g almonds
- 100g walnuts
- 1 orange (juice of)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ginger (finely grated)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch sea salt
Icing ingredients
- 75g cashew nuts
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional toppings
- Handful blueberries
- Sprinkle of freeze-dried raspberries
- Tablespoon of pumpkin seeds
- Almond flakes
- Dessicated (or shredded) coconut
Instructions
- Please watch my video tutorial below for a helpful guide on how to make this.
- Soak the cashew nuts for the icing for at least an hour. Soak overnight if you have the time and remember. Softeness makes them easier to blend.
- Squeeze your orange into a jug with the dried fruit. Use a couple of clementines or lemons if you don't have orange. We are just looking for a zesty zing.
- Finely grate a teaspoon of the orange zest (avoiding the white layer pith if possible as it's bitter) and mix in with the dried fruit.
- Let the dried fruit marinade in the juice and zest for atleast an hour.
- Grind your almonds in a food processor. See notes for food processor alternatives.
- Add the walnuts, warming spices, sea salt and pulse a few times with your food processor. Don't blend too much if you want to leave little chunks of walnut in the cake.
- Once marinaded, add the dried fruit into the food processor and blend until everything is squashble (see video for consistency).
- Take ¾ of your cake mixture and pack down into a parchment lined container. I used an 8" round one. This makes for a shallow cake... which is ideal because this is a very rich blend. You can use any shaped container. You can also shape directly onto a board.
- If you shape in a tin then it should immediately hold together. Turn out on to a board or plate to create the rest of the cake.
- Take the remaining mixture and make a shape on top. I chose a star for this recipe as it feels Christmassy.
Make the icing...
- Drain the water off the cashews.
- Add the maple syrup, vanilla and a couple of tablespoons of water.
- Blend with a hand blender (immersion blender). You can do it with a bullet blender, although it will be harder and you'll to add more water. You can also make it with nut butter instead.
- Ice the cake, covering the whole thing.
Decorate your no bake cake...
- Get any toppings that you fancy and simply decorate to your hearts content. Look at my video for ideas.
How to keep your cake...
- Your cake will keep well in the freezer if you want to make well in advance.
- Alternatively it will keep in the fridge in a container for about a week (apart from any fresh fruit that you might have on top).
Notes
Alternatives to a food processor
- You can use a jug or bullet blender for this to grind your seeds. If your dried fruits are well soft then you can squish it together by hand after that.
- If you don't have a blender or processor simply use pre ground almonds. Soak your dried fruit well and then squish your no bake together by hand.
Altenatives to nuts...
- If you don't want to use nuts then swap out for sunflower, pumpkin and shelled hemps seeds (any combination).
Gluten-free vegan Christmas dinner recipes…
Pin no bake Christmas Cake for later…
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