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Italian Christmas Cake

Italian Christmas Cake: Savor Festive Flavors This Season

Experience the delightful taste of an Italian Christmas Cake, a festive dessert filled with raisins and walnuts, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 cakes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Filling
  • 1 cup Raisins can substitute with dried currants or sultanas
  • 1 cup Walnuts consider almonds for a different nutty flavor
  • 1/4 cup Whiskey can replace with rum or omit for a non-alcoholic version
  • 1/2 cup Sugar both brown and white sugar work well
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon can swap with mixed spice
  • Juice of 1 orange Orange can use lemon juice as an alternative
  • 1 dash Anisette optional for simpler taste
Pastry
  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour can use whole wheat flour for a heartier alternative
  • 1/2 cup White Wine any dry white wine or substitute with apple cider
  • 2 large Eggs no direct substitute, but a flax egg may work for vegan
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest can use just orange zest if preferred
  • 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil melted butter for richer taste
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract omit for nut-free version
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda baking powder is a viable alternative
Glaze & Decoration
  • 1/4 cup Honey optional for simpler cake design
  • 1 cup Colored Sprinkles skip for a more rustic look

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • pasta roller
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven

Method
 

Making the Cake
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine raisins, chopped walnuts, whiskey, sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, and anisette. Stir well and cover tightly. Let sit overnight.
  2. On a clean surface, mound flour and make a well in the center. Add eggs, vegetable oil, white wine, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and baking soda into the well. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes. Divide into 8 balls and cover to prevent drying out.
  4. Flatten each ball to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 2.5-inch wide strips, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
  5. Place a generous amount of walnut-raisin mixture along the center of each strip. Fold and roll gently to form coils, sealing edges.
  6. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange coils on the sheet and bake for approximately 35 minutes until golden.
  7. Remove from oven and brush with melted honey. Return to oven for another 5 minutes to set glaze. Sprinkle with colored sprinkles and cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cakeCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes before rolling for the best texture. Keep an eye on the cake during the last few minutes of baking.

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