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It is that time of the year when we usher in the festive moments of Christmas with the annual Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony. While most of us are still hung up on the recently concluded series of Hindu festivals like Durga Puja and Diwali, the city is already gearing up for the upcoming winter merriment.

If you are planning to bake a Christmas Plum Cake this year, then you have to start by soaking the fruits and nuts in alcohol or any other juice to get that signature flavor of plum cakes. Here I have shared multiple methods of soaking fruits & nuts for Christmas recipes, including non-alcoholic methods. You will also find a list of fruits & nuts that are popularly soaked for Christmas plum cakes and other dessert recipes.

Rum soaked fruits & nuts for Christmas Plum Cake — This is a year-old batch of fruits & nuts that have been soaking in a mix of alcohol, orange juice & spices

Why do we soak fruits and nuts for Christmas cake? A brief history

In early England, cake mixing for Christmas typically began during the harvest season, which was roughly two months before Christmas. During this time of the year, different types of nuts and fruits were available that needed preservation to last through the winters. One of the several ways was to soak them in alcohol to keep them hydrated as well as increase their shelf life.

For Christmas cakes and desserts, these nuts and fruits were left to soak for two months along with a generous amount of honey and spices like ginger, mace, nutmeg, cardamoms, etc. to create that signature rich, aromatic taste of plum cakes. To date, this practice has remained a core tradition in several cultures. In the UK, rum or brandy is the traditional choice for soaking, while in some parts of Europe, whiskey and sherry are preferred. Those who are looking for a healthier option or looking to avoid alcohol can opt for non-alcoholic soaking options, such as using apple or grape juice.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to soak fruits and nuts

Planning to bake your Plum cake at home this year? Then start soaking fruits and nuts at least 2-4 weeks before baking. Here’s the guide to help you.

Choose your fruits—typically raisins, sultanas, cranberries, currants, dates, and apricots. Dice them into smaller cubes so that they absorb maximum flavor
Select nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews. Chop them up nicely so that they soften up upon soaking
Take an airtight glass jar and clean it. Allow it to dry completely before placing the chopped fruits and nuts in it. Make sure to fill it halfway
Add flavor by adding Orange zest and sliced peels along with spices such as cinnamon, clove, mace, nutmeg, and cardamom. You can add these spices in any combination as per your preference. For instance, I omit cinnamon and go slightly heavy with nutmeg.
Pour your choice of soaking liquid, like Brandy, Whiskey, Rum, or Vodka. For a non-alcoholic soak, you can use orange, apple, or grape juice. You can also use a combination of alcohol and fruit juice for soaking.
Close the lid and seal the jar. Shake it well to mix the fruits & nuts with spices before placing it in a cool and dark place. Give the jar a shake every once in a while to mix everything up for even soaking.

Pro tips for perfectly soaked fruits and nuts

Timing is key: The longer the soak, the richer the flavor. Aim for at least 2-4 weeks. The optimum would be 2 months. I soak for 1 year
Regarding the choice of alcohol, you can be creative. Alcoholic liquor adds boldness, while juices offer a milder, natural sweetness that’s great for a healthy version. If you are going for an alcohol soak then you may use any combination of Dark Rum, Whiskey, Vodka, Scotch, Gin, etc. Often I have used the leftovers in the bottles to soak. In this way, I don’t have to buy new bottles and I can finish the old stocks
Go for variety: Use a mix of fruits and nuts to create a dynamic flavor profile. The ones that I have mentioned aren’t exclusive, so you can add whatever you have in your pantry that needs finishing up. Those who are allergic to nuts can omit them altogether and go ahead with the fruits only
Spices elevate the taste: Adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the soak can give your cake a warm, festive aroma to your Christmas desserts
Use only a glass jar as the acids in the liquid would react with metal containers and would make it poisonous.

Healthy, alcohol-free soaking alternatives

Want to bake Christmas Plum Cake without alcohol? Then soak your fruits and nuts in fruit juices or even tea. You can use orange, apple, or grape juice here for an alcohol-free alternative. Simply follow the same steps, keeping in mind that juice-soaked fruits should ideally be soaked for only up to two weeks to prevent fermentation. This method is perfect for those who are looking to create a kid-friendly, healthy holiday treat.

Christmas dessert recipes using soaked fruits and nuts

Eggless Christmas Plum Cake Recipe — Christmas Plum Cake

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How to Soak Fruits and Nuts for a Perfect Christmas Plum Cake

Prep Time

15 mins

Soaking Time

15 d

Total Time

15 d 15 mins

If you are in mood for baking a rich & hearty Christmas Special Plum Cake, then you have to soak the dried fruits & nuts beforehand. In this post, I am sharing two different ways of soaking fruits & nuts for Christmas recipes. One with alcohol, and second without alcohol using fruit juices. Also, read which fruits & nuts are to be soaked, and for how long.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: European

Keyword: Christmas Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, Holiday Baking, Vegan Recipes

Author: Priyanka

Ingredients

¼ cup Chopped Walnuts
¼ cup Raisins
¼ cup Chopped Dried Cranberries
¼ cup Chopped Cashew Nuts
¼ cup Chopped Almonds
2 tbsp Candied Orange Peel
1 tbsp Ginger Grated
½ tsp Nutmeg Powder
½ tsp Clove Powder
½ tsp Cinnamon Powder
1 Qrt Dark Rum I have used brands like Old Monk, Bacardi Black Rum in the past
1 Qrt Vodka Any Brand – Neutral Flavor
1 Qrt Whiskey Any Brand
200 ml Orange Juice
200 ml Apple Juice

Instructions

Take a Glass Jar big enough to hold the dried fruits.
Now, put all the dried fruits & nuts in the jar. Add the spices, grated Ginger and candied Orange peel. Shake everything so that it mixes up nicely.
Now, if you are soaking the fruits & nuts in alcohol, then fill ⅓rd of the jar with each variety of alcohol, like ⅓rd with Rum, then next ⅓rd with Vodka and rest with Whiskey.
Close the lid and give it a good shake.
If you are using fruit juice then, simply fill the jar with Orange juice or Apple Juice or both. It totally depends upon your taste and availability of juices with you.
Again, once the fruits & nuts are soaked in the juice, close the lid and give it a shake.
Now, keep this jar closed (preferably air-tight) in a dark and cold place. You may also refrigerate it, at least for 15 days.
Give it a quick shake every 2-3 days so that everything get soaked equally.