Christmas cake facts for kids
Christmas cake is a special kind of fruitcake that many people enjoy during the Christmas holidays. It's a sweet treat served in lots of countries around the world.
Contents
Christmas Cakes Around the UK and Commonwealth
Christmas cakes come in many different styles! They can be light or dark, soft or firm. They are often round, square, or even shaped like small cupcakes. Many Christmas cakes are covered in icing or marzipan, which is a sweet almond paste. People often decorate them with fun things like little houses, fir trees, or even Santa Claus figures.
Scottish Whisky Dundee Cake
One popular Christmas cake is the Whisky Dundee from Scotland. As its name suggests, it comes from the city of Dundee and is made with Scotch whisky. This cake is lighter and more crumbly than some other Christmas cakes. It has fewer fruits and candied peels, usually just currants, raisins, sultanas, and cherries. It's a great choice for those who prefer a less rich cake.
Good Luck Coins in Cakes
Sometimes, people used to hide coins inside Christmas cakes (and Christmas puddings) for good luck! The coins were often silver sixpences and were wrapped in special paper.
Christmas Cake with Cheese
In Yorkshire, a region in England, some people enjoy eating Christmas cake with Wensleydale cheese. It might sound like a strange combination, but it's a traditional way to enjoy fruitcake there!
The Yule Log Cake
Another cake often served at Christmas in the United Kingdom is the "Yule Log" or "chocolate log." This cake looks like a tree branch! It's actually a Swiss roll (a rolled sponge cake) covered in chocolate to make it look like a log.
Christmas Cakes Around the World
Christmas cakes are enjoyed in many different ways across the globe.
North America
In the United States, people sometimes give fruitcakes as gifts during Christmas, but they usually don't call them "Christmas cakes." However, in neighboring Canada, these cakes are often called Christmas cakes, especially by English-speaking Canadians.
India
In India, Christmas cakes are usually fruitcakes with many different versions. The Allahabadi cake is well-known for its rich taste and texture.
Japan
In Japan, Christmas cakes are traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. These cakes are usually a simple sponge cake covered in whipped cream. They are often decorated with fresh strawberries, Christmas chocolates, or other seasonal fruits, and a small Santa Claus decoration. This style of Christmas cake became popular in Japan when Western culture became more common, especially among wealthier families.
Philippines
In the Philippines, Christmas cakes are often bright yellow pound cakes or fruitcakes similar to the British style. They are soaked in lots of brandy or rum mixed with a sweet syrup. Traditionally, a special scent called civet musk was added, but now people more commonly use rosewater or orange flower water. These cakes, soaked in liquor, can stay fresh for many months if stored properly.
Germany
In Germany, a traditional fruitcake called Stollen is very popular during the Christmas season. It's also known as Weihnachtsstollen or Christstollen.
Italy
In Italy, people traditionally eat Panettone at Christmas. This is a sweet, tall, dome-shaped bread with raisins and candied citrus fruit. It takes several days to prepare carefully.
France and Lebanon
In France and Lebanon, the Bûche de Noël (which means "Yule Log cake") is the traditional Christmas cake. It's the same kind of chocolate log cake enjoyed in the UK.
Cyprus
In Cyprus, Christmas cake is served on Christmas Day. It's often the first treat that people offer to their guests. The Cypriot Christmas cake is very similar to the one found in the UK.
Images for kids
-
White Christmas cake
-
Japanese style Christmas cakes in a display case at a Nijiya Market (San Diego, 2017)
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Pastel de Navidad para niños
