Christmas cake recipe without alcohol?

[lunar1]

Does anyone have a reliable recipe that doesn’t involve alcohol and if so when can I bake it? One of my guests this year is in recovery so I’d like to make a cake they will be able to share.

When you bake the cake all the alcohol evaporates out.

I’d follow your usual recipe and just soak the fruit in fresh orange juice or apple juice instead. You could even just use cold tea or water, as any liquid will plump up the dried fruit before you mix it all together.
Then once baked wrap tightly in foil and ignore for a few weeks.

Thank you both, she doesn’t really want the boozy flavour either, so I’ll go with tea or orange juice I think.

I came on to say soak the fruit in black tea made quite strong. It’s delicious and works really well. The tannin in the tea works well with the sweetness of the fruit.

Tea and Juice is fine but if I wasn’t using alcohol I would bake much closer to the time

Delia’s last minute sherry mincemeat cake can be made with orange juice rather than sherry and is delicious!

The year I was pregnant I went a bit OTT and did it without alcohol - I think I may have originally soaked the fruits in alcohol as I didn't know then, but I only ever fed it with strong black tea (cooled obviously) and it was probably one of the better ones I've made - mostly because I can't get my new oven quite right since then, but the flavour certainly wasn't any the worse for it with the tea!

I have used black chai tea in the past, as the spices give the fruit an extra flavour that works well in a Christmas cake.

Now that’s a really good idea. 👍

Do you understand alcoholism?

And no it doesn't evaporate out unless cooked at a very high heat.

It's not helpful or supportive to give food that tastes of brandy to people who are recovering from alcoholism.

I use orange juice and it’s what’s suggested in AA. Some people are ok with the evaporation of small amounts of alcohol but for most of us it’s something we’d prefer to steer clear of altogether.

This. The alcohol preserves it.

I made the Jane's Patisserie one yesterday (first time ever making a Christmas cake). In the recipe she explains substituting the alcohol for tea etc

make closer to Christmas and substitute clear apple juice

Chai is an excellent idea!

DM has been in recovery for 48 years. She will not touch anything with any alcohol in. Thank you OP for supporting your friend.