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There is nothing like a traditional fruit cake, made in advance and regularly drizzled with rum or brandy for weeks before Christmas. However, many of us find that being organised enough and having the time to make a cake like that can be a challenge with our busy lives.
So what to do if you have left everything far too late and you need a dessert that everyone will love? Worry not! From an elegant Bonne Maman Madeleine Christmas Cake to a quick homage to traditional fruit cake and a lovely loaf cake with lots of seasonal flavours, I have your back with these last minute Christmas cakes.
Last Minute Christmas Cakes
Brandy and Mincemeat Cake
If you want the flavour of a traditional Christmas cake without the fuss, my Brandy and Mincemeat Cake is the one for you. One of the easiest last minute Christmas Cakes, its moist crumb and rich spices make it one of our favourite last minute Christmas cakes. This cake is great sliced on its own with a cup of tea or with ice cream for a more substantial dessert.
Cranberry Orange and Ginger Loaf Cake
Prefer something a little lighter? This Cranberry Orange and Ginger Loaf is a really a quick bread but the delicate orange glaze makes it a bit more elegant, especially if you make it in a pretty loaf tin. Studded with cranberries and crystallised ginger, this last minute Christmas cake is perfect either on its own or served with some ice cream alongside.
Chocolate and Cranberry Quick Bread with Cinnamon Glaze
You will love my Chocolate and Cranberry Quick Bread with Cinnamon Glaze! It is my new favourite last minute Christmas cake! With a decadent, rich, full on chocolate flavour, sweet, sharp tangy cranberries and a bit of spice, it’s full of holiday flavours. It’s also super moist and healthier than your average chocolate quick bread, due in part to a secret ingredient.
Nigella’s Chocolate Fruit Cake
Nigella’s Chocolate Fruit Cake is a deeply decadent fruit cake with amazing rich chocolate flavours. It is incredibly easy to make and keeps really well.
Bonne Maman Madeleine Christmas Cake
This Bonne Maman Madeleine Christmas Cake is such a pretty last minute Christmas cake. Designed by French pâtissiere Eric Lanlard for Bonne Maman, it is a glamorous take on “La Buche de Noel”, a classic French Christmas cake. Featuring layered Bonne Maman Madeleines soaked in rum with chocolate mousse and chestnut cream, it’s guaranteed to impress this festive season. Although it needs to chill and set overnight, the recipe takes under half an hour to whip up and just a few minutes to decorate on the day.
Bonne Maman Madeleine Christmas Cake
Ingredients
- 400 grams dark chocolate chopped
- 400 ml whipping cream
- 20 Bonne Maman Madeleines
- 5 tablespoons dark rum
- 5 tablespoons water
- 200 grams sweet chestnut cream store bought is fine
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 100 grams icing sugar icing sugar is also known as confectioner's sugar
Instructions
- Line a 20 cm long loaf tin with parchment or baking paper and set aside.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
- Add 8 teaspoons of water to the chocolate and mix until smooth and glossy.
- Add the mixed spice and leave to cool.
- Whip the cream until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture. Set aside.
- Slice 5 Bonne Maman Madeleines horizontally and use them to cover the bottom and sides of the tin.
- Mix the remaining 7 teaspoons of water with the rum, then use a pastry brush to soak the Madeleine slices.
- Cover the Madeleine layer with about half the chocolate and cream mixture.
- Cover this layer with 5 more horizontally sliced Bonne Maman Madeleines.
- Spoon the chestnut cream evenly over this layer of Madeleines and then carefully cover with the rest of the chocolate mixture.
- Place another layer of 5 horizontally sliced Madeleines on top, press down well. Cover with cling film (plastic wrap) and place in the fridge overnight to set.
- Turn the log onto a serving plate, garnish with remaining Madeleines and dust with icing sugar and any decorations you like.
did you make this recipe?
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More Christmas Recipes
Aunt Dorothy’s Old Fashioned Butterscotch Squares
Coconut Date and Cherry Christmas Squares – Gluten Free
Old Fashioned Lemon and Walnut Squares
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Nice Blog !! A Very Yummy Wonderful Cake Recipe !!! WOW Nice Photos to See. Nice Design !!! I’ll Definitely Try it. Thank You for Sharing that Lovely Food.
Thank you for the lovely compliment!
Impressive last-minute Christmas cake recipe! Straightforward steps, common ingredients, and a delicious outcome. Ideal for stress-free holiday baking. Highly recommended for fellow festive enthusiasts.
Thank you so much!