Rich fruit cake brimming with sultanas, figs, dates, and chopped nuts, topped with two jolly snowmen in a sea of sticky Marshmallow Fluff.
The base of this snowman cake is made using a traditional Christmas cake recipe (opens in new tab). It’s a substantial cake that will feed 20 people – plenty for a festive get-together. The delicious, easy Marshmallow Fluff makes the perfect quick icing, a creates a great 'snowy' effect. Top with mini candy canes, and individual snowmen and serve.
Ingredients
- 800g mixed dried fruits, such as raisins, sultanas, figs, chopped dates and apricots
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 3tbsp rum, brandy, whisky or orange juice
- 250g plain flour
- 1tbsp mixed spice
- 225g soft brown sugar
- 225g butter, softened
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 75g chopped nuts, such as brazil or almond
For the decoration:
- 6tbsp smooth apricot jam
- 1kg marzipan
- 200g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g icing sugar
- 1 jar Marshmallow Fluff
- White fondant icing
- Writing icing, ribbons, slithers of carrot and candy canes
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Mix the dried fruit, lemon and orange zest and juice and alcohol (or juice) in a small pan. Heat gently for 1 min, then leave off the heat to plump for 30 mins.
- Heat the oven to 150°C/gas mark 2. Triple-line a 20cm round cake tin (or an 18cm square tin) with baking parchment. Using an electric whisk, mix the flour, spice, sugar, butter and eggs for 5 mins until light. Fold in the soaked fruits and the nuts, then spoon into the tin. Level the surface, cover loosely with a sheet of baking parchment, and bake for 2 1/2 hrs, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 1hr, then tip onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the decoration, heat the jam with 1tbsp water and spread all over the surface. Dust the worksurface with icing sugar and roll out the marzipan to 1/2 cm thick, then cover the cake, smoothing the sides and trimming off excess.
- Cream the butter and icing sugar together until light and fluffy. Add all the Marshmallow Fluff except for 1tbsp. Mix well and spread all over the top and sides of the cake, making it into peaks.
- Make the snowmen by sticking three balls of rolled fondant together using the remaining Marshmallow Fluff. Draw on faces with the writing icing, tie on a ribbon scarf and make carrot arms and noses. Finish with the candy canes.
Top tips for making this snowman cake
If you're pushed for time, use a shop-bought sponge and let the kids follow the steps for just the decoration. Mix up the decorations by adding sparkly ribbon scarves or mini Christmas trees.
You might also like...
Mary Berry’s fruit cake (opens in new tab)
Christmas cake decorations (opens in new tab): Ways to decorate your Christmas cake
Easy Christmas cake recipe (opens in new tab)
Rosie Hopegood is a former professional chef turned journalist with a passion for veggie food. She spent several years working as a chef aboard superyachts, catering for the culinary demands of the very rich and sometimes famous. She also worked as a private chef in the Swiss Alps, the Scottish Highlands, and the Balearic Islands. Later, she spent five years looking after the food pages at Reach Plc’s magazines. Rosie lives in New York and writes for Al Jazeera, Sunday Telegraph, and The Guardian.
-
Black Forest gateau
Our Black Forest gateau has a rich, luxurious chocolate sponge sandwiched with freshly whipped cream and topped with sweet cherries...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Mary Berry's Christmas fruit cake
Mary Berry's Christmas fruit cake is packed with luxury dried fruit, ground almonds, and nuts and a twist of pineapple. Bakes in just 2 hours 15 mins.
By Mary Berry • Published
-
Mini Christmas cakes
These impressive, muffin-sized, brandy infused mini Christmas cakes are perfect for sharing with family and friends this Christmas – sweet and delicious
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Vegan basil pesto courgetti with tomatoes and chilli
It takes just four ingredients to make this simple, healthy courgette recipe infused with pesto...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Vegan chilli pesto tagliatelle
A really simple dish to whip up for lunch or dinner using just five store cupboard ingredients...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Vegan tomato pesto chickpea salad
It takes just 30 minutes to make this vibrant, filling salad with a rich tomato pesto sauce...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas: Recipes, guest stars and where to watch
BBC viewers can enjoy a slice of Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas in December, with the British chef sharing recipes, tips and tricks to cooking the perfect Christmas dinner.
By Emily Stedman • Published
-
When is the Great British Bake Off Christmas special on?
All you need to know about Channel 4's Great Christmas Bake Off special and when it will air...
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
King Charles’ security to be stepped up ahead of Christmas appearance after two 'egg attacks'
Royal security bosses are in talks to tighten security for the King ahead of Christmas at Sandringham.
By Selina Maycock • Published