What can I use instead of brandy when making a cake?
If you have run out of brandy then it is perfectly possible to use alternative liquors to feed the cake and you can use whichever you prefer. We would tend to err on the side of using a spirit with a higher alcohol content (such as rum or whisky) but a fortified wine with a long shelf life, such as a sweet Marsala or Madiera could also be used.
What alcohol can I use to make a Christmas cake?
Cherry brandy, amaretto, orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier) and spiced rum (such as Kraken rum) are my favourites. You can use one of these, or alternate between a couple of spirits - i.e. cherry brandy and amaretto flavours work great together for a subtle cherry-almond sweetness to the cake. Can I make my Christmas cake without alcohol?
How much brandy to feed Delia's Christmas cake?
About to make Delia's Classic Christmas cake. Recipe says when it's cold feed with a couple of tablespoons of brandy before wrapping up. Just wanted to check it is tablespoons of brandy to feed or should it bet teaspoons?
How do I Make my Christmas cake taste better?
Traditional fruit Christmas cake tastes at its absolute best if it's allowed to mature before you eat it. This allows the flavours meld together deliciously. During this time, you should also feed the cake with a tablespoon of rum/whisky/brandy (or my personal favourites - cherry brandy and/or amaretto) once a week or so.
What kind of brandy is best for fruitcake?
Courvoisier VSOP Cognac Courvoisier VSOP is the perfect brandy for when you want to level up your fruitcake – or any other recipe you're making.
Which alcohol is best for Christmas cake?
What alcohol should you use? 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 is the best alcohol to soak fruit in for Christmas cake?
The one and only trick is to keep the fruits moist and juicy before baking. For that fruits need to be soaked in alcohol (preferable brandy; rum. sherry also works well) properly for 1 month or upto a year.
What alcohol is best for fruit cake?
Cognac is probably the best substitute for brandy in fruitcake. That's because cognac is basically fancy brandy.
How much brandy do you put in a Christmas cake?
If you are feeding weekly then 1-2 tablespoons alcohol per feeding should be enough. It helps to poke holes in the top of the cake with a skewer before feeding it, to encourage the liquor to soak into the cake. Make sure that you re-wrap the cake tightly after each feeding.
How do you use brandy in a Christmas cake?
0:522:39FEEDING YOUR CHRISTMAS CAKE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we just start to pour it near to the hole just a little at the time. Let that soak. In. So itMoreAnd we just start to pour it near to the hole just a little at the time. Let that soak. In. So it might take one or two maybe even three tablespoons. And that is quite enough don't overdo. It.
How much brandy Should I soak my fruit in?
1 1/2 cup BrandyIn a large airtight container, soak all dried fruits in 1 1/2 cup Brandy. Marinate overnight, turning fruit frequently to ensure it is all evenly marinated.
How long can you leave dried fruit soaking in brandy?
To prevent the fruits from drying out when baked, you must keep them moist. Alcohol is needed to soak the fruit (ideally brandy or rum). It works well for 1 month or up to a year as well.
What can I soak fruit in instead of alcohol?
You can soak in Rum, brandy or whisky for alcoholic options and orange juice, apple juice, grape juice or tea extract for non alcoholic option. You can add spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and prepare tea extract and use it for soaking the dry fruits.
What can I substitute for rum in fruitcake?
Here are some alcohol options — you can choose any of the below:Brand Or Cherry Brandy.Dark Rum.Medium Sherry.Wine.Whiskey.Orange-Flavored Liqueur.
Why is brandy used in fruit cake?
Fruitcake—a classic Christmastime baked good—is all about the fruit and spices. Brandy and orange juice add extra flavor and you can adjust the amounts of fruit and add some chopped nuts if you like.
How do you preserve a fruit cake with brandy?
You can either soak cheesecloth in brandy, bourbon, whiskey, rum or other liquor and then wrap it around the cooked, cooled fruitcake before wrapping in plastic wrap and storing, or simply brush the cake with an alcohol of your choice and wrap tightly.
Why do you feed a cake?
There are a lot of benefits to feeding a fruitcake. It will help keep your cake moist (especially if you are storing it for a while) as well as give it extra flavour – and, if you're a little heavy-handed, it will also develop that characteristic boozy kick.
Will this work for any fruitcake?
Traditional fruitcakes are dark, rich, packed with fruit, and high in sugar, and are often baked for several hours. They'll keep for a long time, so feeding helps maintain a soft texture.
How many times should you feed a 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.
What alcohol should you use?
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.
How to feed a Christmas cake
Poke holes in your just-cooked cake with a skewer and spoon over 2 tbsp alcohol until it has all soaked in. Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin.
Our best ever Christmas cake recipes
You can't go wrong with our classic make & mature Christmas cake. Feed it regularly with rum, brandy, or whisky for a hit of spicy flavour. Watch our video on how to ice a cake to master marzipan and delectable decorations.
When should you make a Christmas cake?
Traditional fruit Christmas cake tastes at its absolute best if it's allowed to mature before you eat it.
How to Store Christmas Cake
After the initial feeding you want to double wrap the rich fruit cake in baking parchment, then double wrap again in foil and place in a tin.
Feeding the Cake
You can feed the Christmas cake once a week or so with a tablespoon or two of cherry brandy right up until a few days before you're ready to ice the cake (presuming that you are going to ice the cake).
Do you need to soak the fruit first?
A lot of people suggest that you need to do this, but you don't need to for this Christmas cake recipe.
What is the best alcohol to put in a Christmas cake?
A reasonably strong spirit (around 40% ABV) with a warm, fiery flavour will compliment the flavour of the cake, and help to preserve the cake, so it will keep for longer.
Can I make my Christmas cake without alcohol?
For a non-alcoholic version, you can replace the alcohol with cold tea, fresh orange or apple juice. You can then feed the cake with either:
Christmas Cake Recipe
An easy Christmas cake that turns out perfect every time. No creaming, beating or soaking of fruit required!
Full question
Hi, I have simmered and soaked my Christmas fruit in 400ml of brandy and have run out. Instead of buying more brandy, can I feed my cake with whisky or rum (one or the other) up until Christmas? Should I feed the cake once a week? Thank you, Fay
Our answer
If you have run out of brandy then it is perfectly possible to use alternative liquors to feed the cake and you can use whichever you prefer. We would tend to err on the side of using a spirit with a higher alcohol content (such as rum or whisky) but a fortified wine with a long shelf life, such as a sweet Marsala or Madiera could also be used.
