Baking the Christmas Cake

Asked on 15 Dec 2020 by mary white

Hi there...i've been trying to get a moist but not sticky texture to my Christmas cake for years but never can. I use a fan oven and although my cakes come out clean and firm, are never the right moistness. THey tend to be too moist / sticky almost like a Christmas pudd which is not what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if you have any tips for me...
I go v low because my fan oven is out of control and long...
Should they remain in the oven when they have a certain 'look' on top?
Sorry for any ridiculousness!

Lindsey, Food Editor replied

Hello,

It could be that you are undercooking your Christmas cake.

If you’re unsure about your oven temperature an oven thermometer is useful.

I presume you are protection the cake during cooking with a few layers of brown paper (or newspaper) around the outside and a layer of parchment over the top (not touching the cake)?

In a fan oven that is running normally I set the temperature to 115C and give an 8 inch classic Christmas cake 4 hours.

When its ready it will be an even brown colour, slightly risen, and if you press it lightly in the centre with your little finger it will spring back.

Kind regards

Lindsey

mary white replied

Thank you Lindsay. Perhaps that is the problem...Will go again next year! Merry Christmas...