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Gluten Free Christmas Cakes

Asked by Lharn. Answered on 14th November 2019

Full question

Can I use buckwheat flour instead of plain in Nigella's Christmas Cake recipe? I'm looking for grain free alternatives.

Easy-Action Christmas Cake
Photo by James Merrell
Easy-Action Christmas Cake
By Nigella
  • 14
  • 2

Our answer

Nigella's Easy-Action Christmas Cake (from FEAST) is made with regular plain flour. As the cake is quite moist and does not rise that much then we suspect that it would be possible to use a gluten-free flour as an alternative. Buckwheat flour is a possibility, but as it has a fairly strong flavour our preference would be to use a gluten-free plain flour/baking mix.

We haven't tested the Easy-Action Christmas Cake with alternative flours, so can't guarantee the results. However, Nigella has some delicious gluten-free cakes that are perfect for Christmas. The Gorgeously Golden Fruit Cake is made with pears, apricots and ginger but is still rich and delicious. The Date And Marmalade Christmas Cake is a darker, more treacly cake and also doesn't contain any alcohol or dairy. Both of these cakes can be made close to Christmas as they don't need "maturing" time. For a slightly different and lighter alternative the chocolate Yule Log is also gluten-free.

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