Fruit and Chocolate Christmas Cake (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
This grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly Christmas cake is inspired by a traditional Italian cake called Panone Bolognese. Rich and aromatic, sweetened with honey and jam, and enriched with chocolate, nuts, and raisins, this delicious cake is the perfect addition to a Christmas menu and makes a perfect homemade Christmas gift.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (200 grams) plum or fig jam
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) honey
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) butter (or coconut oil for the Paleo version)
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) coconut flour
- 1/2 cup (40 grams) cacao powder
- 2/3 cup (100 grams) chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chunks
- 3/4 cup (100 grams) raisins
- 1/2 cup (70 grams) almonds
- Peel of 1/2 organic orange grated
- 1 teaspoon allspice mix
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 extra tablespoon of jam or honey to glaze the cake optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the butter (or coconut oil) into the loaf pan in the oven until melted
- In the meantime, get all your ingredients ready. First, soak the raisins by placing them in a bowl with warm water for about 15 minutes. Drain them and remove all liquid and set aside
- Coarsely chop the almonds with a knife and grate the peel of about half an orange. Set aside
- In a large bowl, combine jam, honey, melted butter, orange peel, and eggs and whisk
- Add cacao powder, coconut flour, spices, salt and baking powder and whisk together until all ingredients are well incorporated and the batter is smooth
- Fold in the chopped chocolate or chocolate chunks, the raisins, and the almonds using a spatula
- Place into a greased loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the cake is firm. If wanted, brush the surface of the cake with honey or jam to make it shiny
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing a serving. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Notes
If wanted, you can replace 1/2 raisins with other pre-soaked dried fruit such as unsweetened figs, prunes, cherries, or apricots.
This cake can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
This cake can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
