How Long Does The Traditional Christmas Cake Keep For?

Asked by kah22. Answered on 9th August 2023

Full question

Last year, as usual, I baked a number of Nigella's Traditional Christmas Cakes, all nice and boozy! Anyway there was one that wasn't collected so I wrapped it up quite well, placed it in a metal tin and placed it on a dark shelf in an unused bedroom.

Anyway I'm wondering what sort of shape would the cake be in now? Not a good cake or a well matured cake? Would a good feed of booze put some life back into it, make it suitable for a present or keep it for myself?

Thank you!

Traditional Christmas Cake

By Nigella

Our answer

NIgella's Traditional Christmas Cake (from Nigella Christmas) is a rich fruit cake that is moister than some cakes thanks to the ground almonds (almond meal or flour) that is added to the cake batter. Like most rich fruit cakes, it benefits from a maturing period and being fed with some extra alcohol, though in the book it is suggested that the keeping time is 6 weeks and generally we suggest if keeping the cake for longer than this then the cake should be frozen as it will keep for a year.

The cake sounds as if it has been strored correctly, though if it has been wrapped directly in foil then that can impart a metallic taste to the dried fruits. If the cake has been wrapped in baking parchment (parchment paper) or greaseproof paper and then stored then this should not be a problem. The best thing to do is look at the cake. If there are any signs of mould, or if the cake has a fermented, sour or odd smell, then it is safer to discard the cake. But if there are none of these then the cake sould be fine as rich fruit cakes can be kept for longer. You could always cut a tiny piece out of whatever is (or will be after decorating) the bottom of the cake and taste it to see if the flavour of the cake is still good. It may benefit from being fed with a little extra alcohol, though this will also depend on how much alcohol was added after the cake was baked. We are not sure if the cake was decorated, but if it was then you should remove any marzipan or icing and decorate the cake with fresh marzipan and icing. If you are any doubt about the condition of the cake then it is also safer to discard it.