Nothing says Christmas quite like a slice of homemade fruit cake. Packed with vine fruits, glacé cherries, citrus zest and warming spice, this rich, buttery Christmas cake recipe is made with a splash of orange brandy liqueur for deep festive flavour. Finished with a layer of marzipan and smooth fondant icing, it's a classic centrepiece that's perfect for making ahead and sharing throughout the season. Make the cake 2 months before Christmas, feeding it with extra brandy until you are ready to ice it.
Flo Bischoff – M&S Recipes Team
Flo joined M&S Recipes in September 2024, bringing nearly 10 years' experience as a chef, food writer and recipe developer. She creates reliable, craveable recipes for every day.
4HR 30MIN
Total time
Ingredients
Servings
12
For the cake
400 g
M&S Turkish sultanas
250 g
M&S Collection succulently soft raisin medley
200 g
M&S Vostizza currants
150 ml
M&S orange brandy liqueur
plus extra for feeding
130 g
M&S Remarksable Value unsalted British butter, room temperature
180 g
dark brown muscovado sugar
3
M&S large free-range eggs
160 g
M&S Remarksable Value self-raising flour
1 tsp
mixed spice
25 g
M&S Italian mixed peel
150 g
M&S glacé cherries, roughly chopped
1
M&S Remarksable Value orange, zest only
50 g
M&S flaked Californian almonds
To ice
3 tbsp
M&S apricot conserve
1 pack
(500 g)
(500 g)
M&S golden marzipan
as needed
icing sugar
500 g
M&S white fondant icing
Nutrition per serving
Calories
837kcal
Fat
19.2 g
Saturates
6.6 g
Sugars
98.9 g
Salt
192.1 mg
