Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and, of course, delicious food that brings everyone together. For those embracing a vegan lifestyle or simply looking to try something new this festive season, the Asda Vegan Christmas Cake is a delightful treat that promises all the rich, fruity flavors of a traditional Christmas cake without any animal products.
This cake is moist, packed with dried fruits and nuts, and infused with warm spices that evoke the comforting essence of Christmas. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, and even those who aren’t vegan will find themselves reaching for seconds.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie in the kitchen, this recipe is straightforward and rewarding. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer while catering to diverse dietary needs.
Pair it with a cup of spiced tea or vegan mulled wine, and you have a festive dessert that’s both inclusive and utterly scrumptious. Let’s dive into the recipe and make your Christmas celebrations extra special this year!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegan Christmas cake recipe stands out for several reasons. First, it uses wholesome, plant-based ingredients that are easily found at Asda or any well-stocked supermarket.
The cake is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and packed with a medley of dried fruits soaked in warming spices, giving it a complex, festive flavor.
It’s also incredibly moist and dense without relying on eggs or dairy, making it suitable for vegans and those with lactose intolerance. The long baking and soaking process allows the flavors to develop beautifully, resulting in a cake that tastes like it’s been made with love and care.
Finally, this cake keeps well, so you can make it weeks ahead of time and let those flavors deepen even more—perfect for holiday planning!
Ingredients
- 200g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, dried cranberries)
- 50g chopped glacé cherries
- 50g chopped walnuts or pecans
- 150ml orange juice
- 100g light brown sugar
- 200g self-raising flour
- 100g ground almonds
- 2 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 100ml vegetable oil (sunflower or rapeseed)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water (flax egg)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange
- Pinch of salt
Equipment
- 20cm round cake tin
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Whisk and wooden spoon
- Food processor or grinder (for flaxseed)
- Baking parchment
- Cooling rack
- Small saucepan (for warming juice if desired)
Instructions
- Prepare the flax egg: In a small bowl, combine the ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water. Stir well and set aside for 10-15 minutes until it thickens.
- Soak the dried fruit: In a medium bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit, glacé cherries, chopped nuts, and orange juice. Stir and let soak for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to plump up the fruit and infuse flavor.
- Preheat your oven: Set it to 160°C (320°F) fan or 180°C (350°F) conventional. Grease your cake tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, ground almonds, mixed spice, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine evenly.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, citrus zest, and the prepared flax egg until smooth and well combined.
- Combine all: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine, then fold in the soaked fruit and nuts with their juice. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cake light.
- Transfer to tin: Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with the back of a spoon or spatula.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Check after 1 hour with a skewer—if it comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, continue baking and check every 10 minutes.
- Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store and mature: For best flavor, wrap the cooled cake in parchment or foil and let it mature in a cool place for at least one week. You can “feed” it with a little extra orange juice or vegan brandy every few days to keep it moist and flavorful.
Tips & Variations
“Soaking the fruit overnight really transforms the cake, making it moist and bursting with festive flavor!”
- For an extra boozy cake, soak the fruit in vegan brandy or rum instead of orange juice.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or cardamom for a spicier twist.
- Use gluten-free self-raising flour to make this cake gluten-free friendly.
- Decorate with a dusting of powdered sugar or cover with vegan marzipan and icing for a traditional finish.
- Try adding a handful of chopped dark vegan chocolate for a subtle, rich surprise.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per slice (1/12 cake) |
---|---|
Calories | 280 kcal |
Fat | 12g |
Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
Carbohydrates | 40g |
Sugars | 25g |
Fiber | 3.5g |
Protein | 4g |
Serving Suggestions
This vegan Christmas cake is best served slightly warmed or at room temperature. Pair it with a dollop of vegan whipped cream or your favorite plant-based yogurt for added creaminess.
A drizzle of vegan caramel sauce also works beautifully for a decadent touch.
For drinks, complement it with a hot cup of spiced tea, vegan eggnog, or a glass of chilled vegan white wine. It also makes a wonderful accompaniment to festive gatherings or as a gift wrapped in festive paper for friends and family.
Looking for more delicious plant-based Christmas treats? Try our Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe for a quick snack or the rich and spiced Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe to add savory depth to your holiday meals.
Conclusion
The Asda Vegan Christmas Cake recipe is a perfect centerpiece for a festive table that caters to all dietary preferences without compromising on flavor or tradition. Its rich blend of dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices, combined with wholesome plant-based ingredients, makes it a crowd-pleaser for vegans and non-vegans alike.
Making this cake ahead of time also allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving you less to worry about on the big day. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, this recipe stands as a testament to how inclusive and delicious holiday baking can be.
Don’t forget to explore other festive vegan recipes on our site to round out your Christmas feast!
📖 Recipe Card: ASDA Vegan Christmas Cake
Description: A rich and moist vegan Christmas cake packed with dried fruits and warm spices. Perfect for festive celebrations with a plant-based twist.
Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT3H
Total Time: PT3H30M
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 200g mixed dried fruit
- 100g chopped dates
- 50g chopped glacé cherries
- 100ml orange juice
- 100g dark brown sugar
- 150g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 100g ground almonds
- 100ml vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water
- 50g chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150°C (130°C fan).
- Soak dried fruit, dates, and cherries in orange juice overnight.
- Mix ground flaxseed with water and let thicken for 5 minutes.
- Combine flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and ground almonds in a bowl.
- Stir in soaked fruit mixture, sugar, oil, flaxseed mix, and walnuts.
- Pour batter into a lined cake tin.
- Bake for 3 hours or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool completely before serving or decorating.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 40 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “ASDA Vegan Christmas Cake”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A rich and moist vegan Christmas cake packed with dried fruits and warm spices. Perfect for festive celebrations with a plant-based twist.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT3H”, “totalTime”: “PT3H30M”, “recipeYield”: “12 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“200g mixed dried fruit”, “100g chopped dates”, “50g chopped glac\u00e9 cherries”, “100ml orange juice”, “100g dark brown sugar”, “150g plain flour”, “1 tsp baking powder”, “1 tsp mixed spice”, “100g ground almonds”, “100ml vegetable oil”, “2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water”, “50g chopped walnuts”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 150\u00b0C (130\u00b0C fan).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Soak dried fruit, dates, and cherries in orange juice overnight.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix ground flaxseed with water and let thicken for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and ground almonds in a bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in soaked fruit mixture, sugar, oil, flaxseed mix, and walnuts.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour batter into a lined cake tin.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 3 hours or until a skewer comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool completely before serving or decorating.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}