Small Christmas Cake Recipe: A Festive Treat for One or a Crowd
The holidays are a time for sharing, and what better way to spread cheer than with a delicious homemade cake? This recipe delivers a perfectly sized Christmas cake, ideal for a cozy night in or scaling up for a festive gathering. Whether you're looking for a small Christmas cake recipe for one or a recipe to easily multiply for a larger group, this guide has you covered.
Ingredients for a Small Christmas Cake (Serves 2-4)
This recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to double or triple it depending on how many servings you need.
- 1/4 cup (50g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (30g) self-raising flour (or all-purpose flour + 1/2 tsp baking powder)
- 1/4 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries (or other festive dried fruit)
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Icing sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions: Baking Your Miniature Christmas Cake
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 6-inch ramekin or small oven-safe dish. You could even use a small muffin tin.
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Cream Butter & Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. A hand mixer works well for this step, but you can also do it by hand.
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Add Egg: Beat in the egg until well combined.
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Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, mixed spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Fold in Extras: Gently fold in the milk, dried cranberries, and nuts (if using).
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared ramekin and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your baking dish. Start checking at 20 minutes.
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Cool & Decorate: Let the cake cool in the ramekin for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, dust with icing sugar for a festive touch. You can also add a small sprig of holly or a dusting of edible glitter for extra flair!
Tips for the Perfect Small Christmas Cake
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is properly softened for optimal mixing.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick or skewer to check if the cake is baked through.
- Get Creative with Decorations: Let your creativity shine! Use festive sprinkles, glazes, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
Scaling Up Your Small Christmas Cake Recipe
This recipe is easily scalable. To make a larger cake, simply multiply the ingredient quantities accordingly. For a standard 8-inch cake, you'll likely need to triple or quadruple the recipe. Remember to adjust baking time accordingly – larger cakes will require longer baking times.
This small Christmas cake recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the festive flavors of Christmas without the commitment of a large cake. It's also a great option for gifting to friends and neighbors! Enjoy!
