Christmas cake

Christmas cake
  • Low phosphate
  • Low potassium
  • Low protein
  • Low salt
  • Christmas
  • Dessert
  • Special occasion
  • 4 hours or less
  • 5 hours or less
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A lightly spiced Christmas cake without the dried fruit to keep the potassium content low.

Chef

Chef Paul Ripley
Paul Ripley

Kidney Kitchen Chef

This Christmas cake recipe contains tinned prunes in place of the dried fruit to reduce the potassium content.

Ingredients

250g glacΓ© cherries, halved

250g mixed peel

200g tinned prunes, drained and chopped

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon almond essence

4 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons of brandy

250g plain flour

250g soft brown sugar

250g unsalted butter

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon mixed spice

25ml water

A few drops of caramel colouring

Method

  1. Step 1

    Cream the butter and sugar until soft and fluffy. Sieve the flour and spices together.

  2. Step 2

    Add the eggs and flour in batches to the creamed mixture. When mixed well, add the cherries, prunes and mixed peel.

  3. Step 3

    Add the brandy, water and honey. Beat well until a dropping consistency is achieved.

  4. Step 4

    Place in a well-greased and greaseproof-paper lined baking tin (18cm), and bake at 150C/gas mark 4 for 3 1⁄2 - 4 hours.

Food facts

The flour and sugar are the main carbohydrates in this recipe. The total carbohydrate value has been provided for those who are trained in insulin adjustment.

Drained tinned fruit is lower in potassium than dried fruit and therefore this recipe uses tinned prunes to add colour and flavour to the cake. Glace cherries and mixed peel help to give more of a dried fruit texture but are lower in potassium.

If you have been prescribed a phosphate binder, ensure you take them with this dish.

This recipe is low in protein and makes a suitable treat for those following a low protein diet.

Use gluten-free flour

If you want to reduce the amount of sugar or fat you eat, reduce the amount or use artificial sweetener instead of the sugar. Use a low-fat margarine spread instead of the butter. You could also try making the recipe with half wholemeal flour.

Rather than buy a large bottle, look out for a miniature bottle of brandy or follow our fruit cake recipe for an alcohol free version.

Leftover cake can be stored for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

We have decorated our cake using icing sugar. You could also use flat white icing or royal icing but avoid using marzipan which is higher in potassium and phosphate.