Non fruit Christmas cake

[TwistedAnkle]

I'd like to make a Christmas cake but my family don't like fruit cakes. Is there anything else that I can make instead that could be made in advance, last for a while and be special?

Hmm not sure about making it too far in advance but I made Mary Berry's chocolate Yule log last year and it was a hit.

A good ginger cake has loads of treacle so is dark, luscious and keeps well. Serves well either warm or cold. Can be buttered or cream or custard. God, I’m hungry now.

Thanks pinkky- DH is always in charge of making the Christmas Yule log.
Thesandgroper that sounds nice! Do you have a recipe you could recommend?

Sorry for getting your name wrong Pinkyyy

I make this every year www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmas_pudding_fridge_58372
You could do something like this is you’d rather it be more cake like and less pudding like! www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-3064097/Recipes-fit-prince-two-Chocolate-biscuit-cake.html You could go all out with the decoration - good star-shaped sprinkles, fererro rocher etc...

Hmm how about a good old Victoria sponge made in advance and put in the freezer? Jam and buttercream filling would freeze well, you'd just have to fondant ice when defrosted

Hmmm I always make a festive cheesecake. Usually I have time on Xmas Eve but sometimes I've had to make it the week before and freeze it

How about Mary Berry's treacle spice traybake? It"s lush and can be decorated to be festive. I've made it in little shapes too.

I will look this evening.

CWA

Michelle Berriedale-Thompson

Rosemary Hume and Constace Spry

There were some lovely-sounding suggestions on this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/3730653-UnChristmassy-Christmas-cake

Stephanie Alexander

Thanks everyone for some great suggestions and for the recipes. I can see that I'm going to end up making a few of them as it's hard to choose just one! I love mn!

This is gorgeous; I've taken to making the icing with orange flavoured chocolate.www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/chocolate/spiced-choc

@TheSandgroper

Thank you so much for posting the 'Gooey Gingercake' recipe. I'm Coeliac and it's gluten free! It sounds lush!

It’s pretty good. It’s the one I always make.

@TheSandgroper gluten free here too so just emailed that to myself.

Was thinking two shallow cakes with double the mixture, sandwiched together with a salted caramel filling and top which I could decorate.

Do you think that would work or is plain better?

Well, it would be all too much for me. That cake is really rich. I would be more inclined to serve it with rhubarb. Poach the rhubarb and use the syrup to flavour some whipped cream and use that (except I am dairy free, too).

Rhubarb and ginger sounds great!

I was thinking of having it warm with vanilla ice cream. Possibly caramel sauce.

@AcrossthePond55 I thought it sounded like it would be even nicer on day two, other ginger cakes I've made seem to be.
I think I will have to do a test run.

Nigella's sticky gingerbread, it keeps well until you cut it and then disappears. The best way to describe it is a posh Jamaica ginger cake.

How long does your gooey ginger cake last Sandgroper?