Chocolate Fruit Cake in Square Tin

Asked by robyn edgar. Answered on 28th November 2013

Full question

I would like to make Nigella's Chocolate Fruit Cake but divide it into 4 small cakes for older family members. Is this possible if I cook it in a square tin and if so what size? Cheers! Robyn.

Our answer

Nigella's Incredibly Easy Chocolate Fruit Cake (from Christmas) is baked in a 20cm/8-inch round tin. It is possible to convert the cake to a square tin and to do this the rule of thumb is to use a square tin that is 2.5cm/1 inch smaller than the round tin size. So for this cake you would need to use an 18cm/7-inch squre tin. The baking time will be the same but one point to remember is that as a square tin has pointed corners these can burn more easily so you need to rotate the cake quite regularly while it is baking. We would suggest letting the cake bake for 45 minutes then rotating it a quarter turn every 15 minutes until the cake is done.

The cake does keep quite well but once it is cut we suggest that each piece is wrapped tightly in a double layer of parchment paper or greaseproof paper (parchment paper) and then a layer of foil and stored in an airtight container. Also the cake tends to sag a little in the centre so you may prefer to trim the top flat then turn the cakes over before adding any decorations.

You may also like to consider making Nigella's Jewelled Cupcakes (from Feast, p94). This uses the Easy Action Christmas Cake recipe (from Feast, p92) and bakes them in smaller cupcakes, topped with nuts and glace fruits. These would make good alternatives for those who don't want to eat a whole fruit cake.