If you’re looking for a gluten-free Christmas cake that has no added sugars then this is your answer. Stop searching and start baking!
Of course, there is natural sugars occurring due to the dried fruit but that is all. No processed glace cherries, no added refined sugars nor is there any unhealthy trans fats – but the good news is this Christmas cake tastes ridgey didge.
You need not worry about boiling and taking extra time soaking etc – this is as simple as baking any other cake. Let’s get started.
No Added Sugar Gluten Free Christmas Cake
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of dried fruit ( I bought a sunbeam mix that had cranberries, dates, raisins etc)
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1/2 cup boiling water
3 tbs melted coconut oil
4 eggs, free range
4 tbs rice malt syrup
2 cups almond flour
2-3 tbs arrowroot flour
1 tsp vanilla paste
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp ginger powder
dash of Himalayan salt
3/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans whatever)
How to Make
1. Reheat oven 150 degrees
2. Place the dried fruit in a bowl and add the orange zest and juice. Stir to combine then pour the boiling water over the fruit and place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to speed up the soaking of the fruit.
3. In another bowl beat the eggs and add in the coconut oil, vanilla and rice malt syrup. Stir to combine
4. Combine the almond meal, spices, salt and baking powder in another bowl
5. Add the egg mixture to the dried fruit and stir to combine. Then add the almond meal mixture to the egg/fruit mixture with the addition of the chopped nuts. At this point sprinkle the arrowroot over the mixture and stir carefully. This acts as a binder to excess liquid so play it by ear here but you want a running batter like consistency.
6. Fold through to combine
7. Pour the mixture into a greased spring form round cake dish and bake for around 1 hour 15 minutes with foil over the top to prevent browning. Leaving the foil off for the last 5 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and decorate to your liking. I added a dash of maple syrup over the top to give it a glaze like appearance.
9. Store in the fridge in foil and a bag or in an airtight container. This will keep for a good couple of weeks.
10. Ho ho ho and enjoy!
