Christmas Cake

Christmas Cake with Sour Cherries and Fine Cream

A Christmas cake is not just a simple dessert, but a true tradition, bringing family and friends together around a festive table. This delicious recipe for a cake with sour cherries and fine cream is perfect for celebrating the special moments of the season. It is an excellent choice, full of flavors that evoke nostalgia and the joy of the holidays.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Number of Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Base:
- 10 eggs
- 10 tablespoons of sugar
- 10 tablespoons of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar

For the Cream:
- 200 ml of milk
- 3 packets of vanilla sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 200 g of butter (at room temperature)
- 250 g of powdered sugar
- Sour cherries from compote (about 300 g)

For the Syrup:
- Juice from the sour cherries in compote
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 rum essence (optional, but recommended for added flavor)

For Decoration:
- Marzipan (or liquid cream, according to preference)

Preparing the Cream

We start with the cream, as it needs time to cool completely. In a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the vanilla sugar and flour, being careful not to form lumps. An important secret is to sift the flour to achieve a finer texture.

After mixing these ingredients well, gradually pour in the milk, constantly mixing to prevent lumps from forming. Place the mixture over low heat and stir continuously with a whisk. It is essential to be patient here and not rush, as the cream will thicken gradually. When it starts to boil, ensure it has a creamy consistency and let it cool.

Preparing the Base

Now we turn our attention to the base. Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding the sugar. It is important for the egg whites to be very firm to give the bases an airy texture.

In another bowl, mix the egg yolks with the vanilla sugar and oil. Add this mixture over the egg whites, gently folding using a spatula to retain the air in the mixture. Then, add the flour mixed with the baking powder, spoon by spoon, continuing to mix gently.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Pour the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Once the base is baked, let it cool completely before cutting it in half.

Assembling the Cake

When the cream has cooled completely, beat the butter with the powdered sugar until it becomes a fine cream, and the sugar is no longer felt. Now, gradually add the cooled cream into the butter, mixing well until homogeneous.

The sour cherries from the compote are drained and can be added to the cream, mixing them gently to achieve a delicious flavor.

Before assembling the cake, soak the base with the juice from the sour cherries mixed with the rum essence and sugar. Then, add some of the cream, place the other half of the base, and cover the entire cake with the remaining cream.

Decorating the Cake

Decoration is a wonderful part of the process. I chose to decorate the cake with marzipan, but you have the freedom to be creative. You can use liquid cream, fresh fruits, or even grated chocolate. This cake will look splendid and will surely become the star of the Christmas table.

Practical Tips

1. Choose quality ingredients: Use good quality butter and fresh eggs to achieve a cake with a perfect taste.
2. Patience while cooling: Ensure that both the base and the cream are completely cooled before assembling to avoid melting the cream.
3. Customization: You can add other fruits, such as raspberries or strawberries, to vary the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use other fruits?
Yes, you can replace the sour cherries with other fruits from compote or even with fresh fruits.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the cream or opt for a sugar-free syrup.

3. How long can the cake be kept?
The cake keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure it is covered to prevent drying out.

4. What drinks pair well with this cake?
A flavored coffee or a fruit tea will complement the sweetness of the cake perfectly. Also, a sparkling wine or a fruit liqueur could be an inspired choice.

This Christmas cake is not just a dessert but a sweet memory that will bring joy and warmth to the hearts of loved ones. I hope you try it and enjoy every bite! Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: Base: 10 eggs, 10 tablespoons of sugar, 10 tablespoons of flour, 1 baking powder, 2 tablespoons of oil, 1 vanilla sugar. Cream: 200 ml of milk, 3 packets of vanilla sugar, 4 egg yolks, 200 g of butter, 250 g of powdered sugar. Sour cherries from compote. Syrup: The juice from the sour cherries in the compote mixed with a rum essence and two tablespoons of sugar. Decoration: I decorated it with marzipan but it can also be done with liquid whipped cream.