Introducing the famous 3 Ingredient Christmas Cake (fruit cake) made from mixed fruit, iced coffee and self-raising flour! Award winning, super easy and totally delicious!
Everybody loves a 3 ingredient recipe, right!? And this 3 Ingredient Christmas Cake is the ultimate fruit cake recipe.
It was originally a CWA (Country Womens Association) recipe that's become famous thanks to how simple it is to make. No fuss. Just 3 ingredients!
Just like my Christmas Marshmallow Pops, Super Easy Reindeer Brownies, and White Christmas Slice, this recipe is fun and delicious for both kids and adults for the holidays!
What You Need
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method!
If you don't believe that you can make the most AMAZING fruit cake from just 3 ingredients... try this and I promise you'll change your mind! All you need is:
- mixed dried fruit (see below for details)
- iced coffee (or a liquid substitute - see below for substitutions)
- self-raising flour - or make your own using plain (all-purpose flour), baking powder and salt
Prepare The 3 Ingredient Christmas Cake 1 Day Ahead
Step 1 – Prep The Fruit
You'll need to start prepping this 3 ingredient Christmas cake 1 day before baking. Mix the dried fruit and iced coffee (or liquid substitute) in a large bowl or container and then place in the fridge overnight.
This allows the dried fruit to soak up the liquid and become plump... which then results in a beautiful and moist fruit cake when baked.
Step 2 – Mix The Flour and Fruit
On the day of baking, mix through the self-raising flour and pour into a baking tin.
Step 3 – Bake The Cake
Bake for approximately 1 hour or until the cake feels firm in the middle and a skewer inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
What Is Mixed Dried Fruit?
Mixed dried fruit can be bought pre-packaged from the dried fruit/nuts section of any major supermarket.
I like to use the Sunbeam Mixed Fruit that contains sultanas (a type of grape), currants, raisins, orange peel, lemon peel and glace cherries.
However, you can use absolutely any brand of mixed dried fruit you like.
If you grew up eating (and disliking) traditional fruit cake with candied fruits (which is common in the States), using dried fruits will make all the difference! Instead of tasting processed or dry, this fruit cake is moist and full of real fruit flavor.
Iced Coffee Substitutes
I like to use a store-bought iced coffee that is slightly sweetened for this recipe. There are many different brands of iced coffee that you can use, including: Big M, Farmers Union, Dare, Ice Break, Starbucks etc.
Or Substitute The Iced Coffee For:
- juice (orange, apple, pineapple etc)
- black tea
- coffee
- chocolate milk
Adding Alcohol To The 3 Ingredient Christmas Cake
If you'd like to add a splash of alcohol to your Christmas fruit cake, here's the types that work best:
- brandy
- whisky
- sherry
- dark rum
- orange-flavoured liqueur
- Baileys Irish cream (or make your own!)
- Kahlua
- port
Simply add the alcohol to the dried fruit mix along with your chosen liquid (iced coffee, juice etc).
Storing & Serving Fruit Cake
This cake can be stored for up to 1 month. To store, simply wrap in foil or place into an airtight container at room temperature.
Serve at room temperature or warm it up and serve with a drizzle of cream or custard (brandy custard is delicious too).
Baking Fruit Cake
Temperature
Cook our famous 3 Ingredient Christmas Cake on 160 degrees celsius fan-forced (320 degrees fahrenheit). If using a conventional oven (not fan forced) increase the temperature to 175 degrees celsius (350 degrees fahrenheit).
Time
We recommend cooking this cake for approximately 1 hour. However, as all ovens are different you might need to increase the cooking time by up to 30 minutes or even longer.
Testing If The Cake Is Cooked
The cake is cooked if the middle is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
What To Do If The Cake Is Browning Too Much
If you find your cake is browning too quickly, simply place a sheet of foil loosely over the top of the cake and continue baking.
FAQ
Can this cake be made with gluten-free flour?
Yes - many of our readers have successfully made this using gluten-free self-raising flour.
Can I add extra spices?
Absolutely! Ground cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spice are delicious in this recipe.
Can I use this recipe to make smaller individual cakes?
Yes you can! Simply reduce the cooking time depending on the size of your cake tins.
Can you taste the iced coffee in the cake?
Not at all!
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes you can! And blanched almonds on top of the cake give it a traditional look.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
Absolutely - we've had lots of readers who have successfully used soy based flavoured milk in this recipe.
Can I cover this cake with a traditional royal icing?
Yes, absolutely! Many of our readers have done so and found it to work perfectly!
Can this Christmas cake be frozen?
Yes! Simply wrap the completely cooled cake in a layer of plastic wrap and then two layers of foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
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The Famous 3 Ingredient Christmas Cake
Ingredients
- 1 kg (6 cups) dried mixed fruit see recipe notes
- 600 ml (2 ½ cups) iced coffee see notes
- 300 g (2 cups) self-raising flour
Instructions
- Place the mixed dried fruit into a very large bowl. Add the iced coffee (or liquid substitute) and mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge overnight.
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease and line a 23cm cake tin with baking paper and set aside.
- Stir the self-raising flour through the fruit mixture and pour into the prepared tin.
- Bake for approximately 1 hour (see notes) or until the cake feels firm in the middle and a skewer inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
Lyndall
So Sad - I baked two batches on 5th December, wrapped in foil, airtight container and in the cupboard.
Took them out today 21st December to decorate and they were both mouldy! 🙁
What did I do wrong?
Lucy
Hi Lyndall, if they have mould, it will be because there was even the tiniest amount of moisture/warmth! If you're storing for that long, don't place them into an airtight container as warmth and moisture builds up - just wrap in foil. Hope that helps for next time!
Dan
I don't know if its because I used wholemeal flour, but I needed a couple of tablespoons of extra milk to bring the batter together. But I do attribute the extra liquid and my cruddy oven for the 1:20 cooking time. Don't forget to put some alfoil over the top if the top starts to get too brown!
Lesley
So easy to make and it tastes so good. I made with fruit juice thought I might give the iced coffee a go next time.
Great as a cake for eating or as a dessert with some custard.
Lucy
Fantastic!
Lachie
How tall of a tin did you use?
Lucy
Hi Lachie, just a regular sized cake tin (relatively high sides).
Sonia Applegate
OMG Lucy your 3 ingredient Christmas Cake just made Christmas baking so much easier! I followed your recipe as described with no issues and baked within the hour. First month full transports you to a happy place full of flavour and excitement. Merry Christmas and thank you for such a wonderful recipe.
Lucy
I's so glad you like it!
Jennifer
If adding baileys instead of coffee, how much would you use
Lucy
You'd still need to keep the same amount of liquid - but maybe add a shot or two of Baileys to the mix.
Joyce
I absolutely Love this cake! It was so easy! I used orange and apple juice plus pecans and walnuts. So delicious and a I will definitely be making this again. Thanks so much for sharing!
Lucy
Fantastic!
Alma
Can I substitute all purpose flour for self-rising; not available in my area.
Lucy
Hi Alma, if using all purpose flour, you'll need to add a rising agent. See my recipe here (it's super easy): https://bakeplaysmile.com/how-to-make-self-raising-flour/
Amanda
Omg I was sure I would stuff this up. But NO. I only had 500ml of iced coffee so used 100ml of pineapple rum as well !!!!!!! My son thought that was excessive and had me worried. I also threw in a small handful of macadamia nuts. In my mind this was absolutely a test run that I was going to learn from (like just about every other recipe I've tried). To my utter shock and delight it was just perfect. I used a brownie tray too and kept an eye on the cooking, all good. Cheap and impressive. Looking forward to using a muffin tray next time. Thankyou
.
Lucy
That is ABSOLUTELY fantastic to hear!