The aging process for a true fruitcake is between one and three months , therefore a fruitcake should be made well in advance as it needs to sit for quite some time. After you bake it, it is time to give the finished fruitcake its preservative treatment.
Does fruit cake get better with age?
Fruitcakes taste better with age! This is called “ripening.” Liquor based cakes may be stored several months in advance in a cool place prior to serving. Non-liquor soaked cakes may be kept in a cool place or in refrigerator for short term storage or a or freezer for long storage.
How long should a fruit cake sit before eating?
Allow them to stand at room temperature for 24 hours , then rewrap in plastic wrap and freeze. Do not continue seasoning. Dark cakes usually take 4 to 6 weeks to season; light cakes usually take 3 to 4 weeks to season.
How long should you mature a Christmas cake?
If you prefer your Christmas cake rich, then leaving the cake to mature for longer will enhance the flavours of the dried fruit. Traditional Christmas cake recipes suggest that three months is enough time to perfect this fruity masterpiece.
How do you ripen fruit cake?
Wrap the cake in cheesecloth (which can also be soaked in liquor) followed by a double layer of plastic wrap and double of tin foil. The cake is then placed in a sealed bag and stored it in a cool, dry place to mellow or ripen, a process of time that allows the cake’s flavours to mix and mingle.
How often should I feed a fruit cake?
The amount of times you feed you a fruitcake will depend on how strong you want the flavour to be. It’s possible to overfeed your cake, which will make it stodgy and wet. Our advice is to feed it once after it’s initially baked, then no more than four times during the maturation period .
How do you store a fruit cake after baking?
Wrap each cake in several layers of cheesecloth and then in plastic wrap . Store the cakes in airtight containers in a cool dry place, but not in the refrigerator or freezer. Check carefully at least once a week, as rich, moist cakes mould very easily. If you see any mould, throw out the cake.
Can I wrap Christmas cake in cling film?
Yes . For best results, wrap it well with cling film, then put it in a Ziplock bag or wrap it again with foil and store it in the freezer (usually for up to 6 months, though this dependes on the temperature of your freezer).
Why does Christmas cake last so long?
Fruitcake is a shelf-stable food unlike any other . All those dry ingredients don’t give microorganisms enough moisture to reproduce, as Ben Chapman, a food safety specialist at North Carolina State University, explained in 2014. ... That keeps bacteria from developing on the cake.
How long do you soak fruit in alcohol for Christmas cake?
To cut the sweetness and add amazing flavor, we’ll soak the dried fruit mixture in dark rum the day before baking. Note: I recommend soaking the fruit for a minimum of 12 hours or as long as 24 hours . The dried fruit will hydrate and plump up and soak up all of the dark rum during this time. Don’t skip this step!
Can a fruit cake be too moist?
If the cakes are too moist, remove them from the container and all wrapping . Allow them to stand at room temperature for 24 hours, then rewrap in plastic wrap and freeze. Do not continue seasoning. Dark cakes usually take 4 to 6 weeks to season; light cakes usually take 3 to 4 weeks to season.
Should you wash dried fruit before baking?
When using dried fruit in a baking recipe, soak it first . If not done, it will absorb a lot of water from the recipe’s ingredients, which results in a drier outcome.
Why does my fruit cake crumble when cut?
One of the major reasons why your fruit cake is moist but crumbly is the gluten content of the flour you use to bake . ... If your cake falls apart when cutting and you used all-purpose flour in your recipe, the high gluten content is why you have a cake that’s moist but crumbly.
Do you feed a Christmas cake from the top or bottom?
Strong, flavourful spirits with a high ABV are ideal for feeding fruitcakes. You can use rum, brandy or whisky for spice, or if you like citrus flavours, try an orange liqueur. Cherry brandy and amaretto will also work well if you prefer these.
What alcohol is best for fruit cake?
Alcohol: medium sherry, dark rum, whisky, brandy or orange-flavoured liqueur are the usual flavours for fruit cakes.
Can I feed my Christmas cake with orange juice?
It is possible to use orange juice instead of alcohol for feeding Christmas cakes but we would suggest as a precaution that this is only done a couple of months in advance of the cake being eaten. ... For a smooth finish you should put a layer of marzipan on the cake first.
