When talking about traditional dishes prepared on Christmas, the only thing that comes to anyone’s mind is rum cake or fruit cake. When looked at its history, then you’ll see that the Christmas Cake originated in British cuisine and was earlier called Christmas Porridge and then Pudding. Later on, oatmeal was taken out of the porridge and wheat flour along with butter & eggs were added to it, which resulted in a plum cake.
Afterwards, some spices were added to this plum cake that resulted in a Christmas Cake. After this cake originated, several versions of this cake were made in different countries and each of them was quite unique in its taste and flavour.
Now, when it comes to Christmas celebrations, there are just 3 states that top the chart in making traditional Christmas food in India i.e., Goa, Pondicherry, and Kerala. The first two states are quite obvious as there has been a lot of influence by the west, while Kerala is one state where most of the Indian Christians have lived ever since.
The very own Prayagraj or commonly called Allahabad has witnessed the rise of Allahabadi Cake, which is a version of Christmas Cake that has never been seen or tasted anywhere. If you are thinking about what’s so unique about it, then you are in for a surprise here! This Christmas Cake is made using ‘petha’ or candied ash gourd. With the influence of the Anglo-Indian community of the city, this traditional Indian Christmas Cake has been made for ages and it is unapologetically desi! What makes it taste great is the fact that this Allahabadi Christmas Cake is made with lots of ghee or clarified butter, marmalade and of course petha.
So, this Christmas, let’s try making our own desi cake and celebrate this amazing festival with our loved ones. The best thing about this dish is the fact that you can decorate it as you like. Do try this recipe of Allahabadi Christmas Cake.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups petha
6 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp ground spices
1 cup butter
1/4 sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 jar marmalade
1 pinch, shahi jeera
1 1/2 cup mixed candied fruits
2 cup rum
2/3 cup burnt sugar
1/2 cup warm water
Also See: The story of how the popular Christmas Fruitcake originated and how to make the ''original" cake
Method
- To prepare this cake, soak all the candied fruits like orange peel, raisins and currants in rum for a month at least. The more these fruits are stored, the more flavour you will have in your cake.
- Next, on the day you have to make the actual cake, melt the sugar in a kadhai over medium flame and let it caramelize. Then, let the sugar burn till it attains a dark colour. Once done, turn off the flame and add warm water to it. Stir to mix well and heat once again until the sugar is blended well with water. Turn off the flame again and keep aside.
- Now, take a bowl and beat together sugar & butter until soft peaks form. Then, add eggs one by one and beat continuously. You can use an electric beater to beat all the ingredients. Finally, add all the ingredients in this bowl and mix very well. Make sure there are no lumps remaining and the cake batter is smooth.
- Take a cake tin and grease it well. Transfer the cake batter in it and bake the Allahbadi Cake in an oven at 180 degrees for 60 minutes. Take the toothpick test to check if the cake is baked or not.
- Once done, let it cool on the cooling rack and when warm enough to handle, take it out of the tin and decorate with cashew and walnuts. Cut into pieces and enjoy your cake with a glass of wine.
Also See: Christmas special: Tea cake recipes you must try today
Also See: Christmas 2021: How to perfectly roast Chicken for Christmas
FAQs
In 1883, Mambally Bapu, a skilled baker from Kerala, etched his name in history by baking the first Christmas cake on Indian soil. Inspired by the British, who introduced the tradition to India, Bapu infused the classic recipe with a touch of Indian flavors.
What type of cake is traditionally eaten at Christmas time? ›
Christmas Cake is a traditional fruit cake with a rich, velvety texture that's so full flavoured and moist it can be eaten plain. But no one turns away a slosh of custard!
Is Allahabad a plum cake? ›
Also, Indian plum cakes do not contain lard like their British counterparts. They are usually made with butter or at times, ghee, or sometimes even a combination of the two. One unique type of plum cake is the Allahabad version with 'petha' (translucent white candy made from white pumpkin).
Which country's cuisine includes Allahabadi cake as a Christmas treat? ›
The Allahabadi Christmas cake is a part of the long tradition of Anglo-Indian cuisine in India. Europeans (mostly British) and Indians have shared a layered history for centuries, and the cultures left traces, affecting many facets of life.
What is the name of Christmas cake in India? ›
In India, Christmas cakes are traditionally a fruit cake with many variants. Allahabadi cake is famous for its rich taste and texture.
What is the history of cake in India? ›
India's first cake was baked at Kerala's Thalassery, formerly called Tellicherry in 1883 during the British regime. Mambally's “Royal Biscuit Factory” that made those first cakes is still in the business tickling the pallette of cake lovers over the last 139 years.
What's the difference between fruit cake and Christmas cake? ›
Christmas cakes are also commonly made with pudding while a fruit cake uses butter, however there are Christmas cake recipes that do contain butter. The traditional Scottish Christmas cake, also known as the Whisky Dundee, is very popular. It is a light crumbly cake with currants, raisins, cherries and Scotch whisky.
Can you eat Christmas cake straight away? ›
Once cold, poke holes into the top of your cake, and spoon 3 tablespoons of your chosen alcohol over it. This will soak in nicely. At this stage, you can eat the cake straightaway or keep it to mature until Christmas time.
Which country invented Christmas cake? ›
Origins. Historically the Christmas cake has been an English tradition. It started in the Middle Ages as plum porridge, a pretty unappetising formula that consistent of boiled beef mixed with bread, oatmeal, spices, dried fruit and wine.
Which fruit is Allahabad famous for? ›
The Correct Answer is Guava. Allahabad Safeda: Allahabad Safeda is the most famous and demanded variety of all the available guava varieties. It is used for both table and processing purposes.
Allahabad is known for its variety of guavas, and the Allahabadi Amrood or red guava tops the chart. So, when you are in the Kumbh Mela, do not forget to grab red guava and eat it raw. They are a powerhouse of nutrients with a divine taste. Relish juicy red guavas and satiate your craving.
Why do Christians eat plum cake? ›
According to custom, on the eve of Christmas, a rich porridge was cooked and eaten to “line the stomach” for the upcoming feast. The porridge, said to have been made with oats, dried fruits, spices, honey, and sometimes even meat, can be called the grandfather of the Christmas — or plum cake.
What food do they eat in India for Christmas? ›
Some of the popular dishes eaten during Christmas in India are:
- Allahabadi cake.
- Christmas cake – a type of fruit cake.
- Mathri – a traditional flaky biscuit.
- Gulab Jamun – a traditional sweet prepared with khoa.
- Walnut fudge.
- Jalebi.
- Mincemeatpie.
Christmas cake actually started life as plum porridge, designed to line people's stomachs after a day of religious fasting. Soon, other fruits and a dash of honey joined the plums and became the good old Christmas pudding.
Which country is famous for cakes? ›
Scotland is known as the land of cakes and it is famous for its oatmeal cakes as in old times, oatmeal cakes were baked only in Scotland.
Where did Christmas cake originate? ›
Humble beginnings. Christmas cake began life in the Middle Ages - as plum porridge! Christmas Eve was a day of religious fasting, and this was a hearty meal afterwards, with a consistency more like that of a pottage or soup, made of boiled beef, fruit and spices, then thickened with bread and oats.
What is the Christmas food tradition in India? ›
Allahabadi cake is a classic Indian cake with rum-soaked dry fruits. Gongura Mutton is a well-loved mutton curry in the Andhra style. Kul Kuls are traditional Indian Christmas sweets. Duck moilee is a tender and flavorful duck meat dish.
What is the tradition of Christmas in India? ›
Therefore midnight mass is considered to be an integral part of the grand Christmas celebration in India. All the family members get together and walk to be part of the mass. After this, a huge Christmas feast of delicious delicacies is devoured by the participants of the mass.
