![\"\"](\"/static/img/badges/bage_top.png\")
![\"\"](\"/static/img/badges/cakes-breads.png\")
![\"\"](\"/static/img/badges/bage_buttom.png\")
📝 Description
![\"\"](\"/static/img/badges/l1a.png\")
79
![\"\"](\"/static/img/badges/r1.png\")
🥘 Ingredients
5 teacupfuls of flour, 1 teacupful of melted butter, 1 teacupful of cream, 1 teacupful of treacle, 1 teacupful of moist sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 oz. of powdered ginger, 1/2 lb. of raisins, 1 teaspoonful of carbonate of soda, 1 tablespoonful of vinegar.
👨🍳 Method
Make the butter sufficiently warm to melt it, but do not allow it to oil; put the flour into a basin; add to it the sugar, ginger, and raisins, which should be stoned and cut into small pieces. When these dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed, stir in the butter, cream, treacle, and well-whisked eggs, and beat the mixture for a few minutes. Dissolve the soda in the vinegar, add it to the dough, and be particular that these latter ingredients are well incorporated with the others; put the cake into a buttered mould or tin, place it in a moderate oven immediately, and bake it from 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours.
📜 From Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (1861). Public domain.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
I tried my hand at Mrs. Beeton's Christmas Cake this week, and I must say, the simplicity of the ingredient list belies the depth of flavor that emerges. The method is straightforward, but it was the addition of carbonate of soda and vinegar that truly surprised me. I expected a subtle fizz, but the reaction was more dramatic than I anticipated, giving the cake a delightful rise and a tender crumb that I didn't expect from a Victorian recipe. This cake is a perfect fit for the weeknight cook looking to get a head start on the holidays. The long baking time means you can mix it up in the evening and have it ready to go by morning. I found the moist sugar to be a charming touch, adding a unique texture and a hint of caramel flavor that sets this cake apart from modern counterparts. The result is a dense, fruity cake that's perfect for slicing and sharing. This is a recipe that deserves to be dusted off and enjoyed anew.
