Filled with brandy-soaked dried fruits and nuts, these dense and decadent, Boozy Christmas Cake Cupcakes are an adapted version of the Sri Lankan Christmas Cake of my youth.
*These Boozy Christmas Cupcakes were first published on December 19th, 2016. This post has been updated and is being re-published today, Monday the 16th of December.
When I was a young ‘un in Sri Lanka, I knew Christmas was right around the corner when my parents began our Christmas Cake.
My dad and mom would cover almost every table in our home with chopping boards as they hand-chopped a variety of dried fruits, candied fruits, fruit preserves, and nuts. Then my dad would find the biggest bowl he could and sit on one chair with the bowl perched on another chair in front of him.
Using a large wooden spoon, he would mix all these fruits and nuts with carefully measured out portions of brandy, jam, rose water, spices, vanilla and almond extracts, honey and golden syrup, that my mom would add in. They would then let this mix sit for days in a covered container.
When they finally got around to taking the lid off this container, the smell was intoxicatingly wonderfully heavenly (and those three words don’t quite do that joy-inducing aroma justice).
They then would mix those boozy fruits, nuts and spices with semolina, butter, sugar and what seemed like a gazillion eggs and bake this Christmas Cake for hours in a heavily lined baking tray or sometimes, trays.
To me, the resulting cake was (and is) an entity unto itself. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything quite like it.
My dad loved making and eating that Christmas Cake, so when he passed in the summer of 2014, that Christmas Cake was retired.
But, this year, in honor of him and the passion he brought to making and eating that Christmas cake, I made these Boozy Christmas Cake Cupcakes.
While traditional Sri Lankan Christmas Cake relies heavily on exotic ingredients like Sri Lankan Chow Chow (not to be confused with savory Chow Chow that’s available on grocery store shelves here in the US), and hard to find ingredients like pumpkin preserve and golden syrup, I figure I would make these cupcakes with ingredients I could pick up at my local grocery store.
I employed the same principle of soaking raisins, candied ginger, dates, fruit and peel mix, pecans, cardamom, cinnamon cloves, and nutmeg in jam, brandy, vanilla extract, molasses, maple syrup and rose water – and letting them sit and stew for about 4 days in a covered container.
And, when the time came for me to take that lid off, the resulting aroma took me on a ride down memory lane!
I also used spelt flour instead of semolina and almonds along with butter, brown sugar and eggs before baking. As these were cupcakes, I cut the baking time down from hours to minutes.
The resulting cupcakes were not as darkly colored as the Sri Lankan Christmas Cake of my youth, but, the flavor was so darn close.
They do not need any sort of frosting, though some people enjoy Sri Lankan Christmas cake with a layer of marzipan on top.
These cupcakes are sinfully dense, rich, moist, and decadent – aaaaaannnndddd you still have time to pull these off by Christmas Eve!!!
If you are looking to add some nutritious sides to your Christmas Dinner or Lunch Table, then please do check out these Ginger Carrots, this Cauliflower and Fig recipe and this Asparagus Egg Salad (the latter inspired by David Lebovitz )
My friends, thank you so much for stopping by my little space and commenting, and for trusting my recipes and giving them a try. I hope and pray each and every one of y’all a Very, Merry Christmas!
Looking to add some healthyish cookies to your dessert table or cookie exchange? Then this list is, for you:
45 Healthy-ISH Cookies For Christmas
Balance out the holiday season with these healthy-ish holiday cookies and treats!
Hummingbird Breakfast Cookies
Learn how to make these Hummingbird Breakfast Cookies with half of an overly ripe banana, pineapple, pecans, and spices. They are not overly sweet, they are gluten free, and they pack a powerful flavor punch!
Easy Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Spiked with a tad bit of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these soft and chewy gluten free and butter free oatmeal cranberry cookies are so easy to make and so big on taste!
Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies
These healthy peanut butter cookies are gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and tender without added oil or butter!
Sri Lankan Christmas Cake Cookies (Gluten-free, Butter-free)
Need a unique cookie recipe to add to your annual cookie exchange? These Sri Lankan Christmas Cake Cookies are cake-like, boozy cookies that are gluten free, butter free, and decadently delicious!
Gluten Free Peppermint Cookies Recipe
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Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Paleo Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies recipe grain-free
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Gluten Free Oat Banana Chip Cookies
These cardamom spiked, gluten free Oat Banana Chip Cookies are so easy to make and make for a delicious after-school or after-work snack!
Mill Your Own Quinoa Flour for Quinoa Flour Spice Cookies {Video}
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Crispy Yet Gooey Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Cookies
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Eggnog Cardamom Cookies {Gluten Free}
Gently spiked with cloves and cardamom, these gluten-free Eggnog Cardamom Cookies are sure to delight your senses. Delightfully aromatic, slightly chewy and simply delicious, they would be a wonderful addition to your Christmas Cookie list!
My Favorite Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These gluten-free oatmeal cookies get made over and over again in our home! Sometimes, nuts are added in; sometimes, they are dipped in chocolate; sometimes, they are crumbled over a bowl of frozen yogurt. Most-times, they are are favorite!
Easy Chocolate Almond Tarts
These Chocolate Almond Tarts made with Ghirardelli chocolate are so easy to make and are decadently delicious. They are an amazing addition to any gathering, or whip them up and keep them all to yourself – like I do!
Grain Free Chocolate Orange Cookies (Vegan)
Looking for healthier holiday treats? Make these Grain Free Chocolate Orange Cookies! They are vegan and mostly sugar-free, with a sugar-free/paleo option.
Ginger Cardamom Cookies
If you are looking to cut down your sugar intake, I have just the cookies for ya – these Ginger Cardamom Cookies are vegan, gluten-free and refined-sugar free and perfect for chomping on for breakfast, snack or dessert!
Chocolate Pepper Cookies Recipe {Gluten-free}
These cookies are made of dark chocolate and almond flour. Pink Pepper compliments the flavors of these holiday cookies.
Finger Millet Poppy Seed Cookies
Healthy Christmas cookies made with finger millet a nutritious grain. The cookies contain poppy seeds too, making these cookies irresistible.
Double Chocolate Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
gluten-free,grain-free, flourless, naturally sweetened
Vegan Cardamom Cinnamon Snowball Cookies
Melt in your mouth delicious - these little snowballs also happen to be vegan!
Easy & Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
No-bake, gluten-free, naturally sweetened (with much less sweetener) with vegan & grain-free option
Blender Chocolate Pretzel Bars ~ One of Our Travel Essentials
I like to think that these, 8-ingredient, blender-made, Chocolate Pretzel Bars are “healthy” as they are sweetened with dates and contain coconut oil instead of butter – and are ridiculously easy to whip up!
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A little bit naughty (hello creamy milk chocolate), a little bit nutritious, these Easy No Bake Chocolate Pistachio Bites call for 5 ingredients (6 if you include salt) and are a delicious anytime pick me up!
Gluten Free Vegan Almond Biscotti Recipe
Classic almond biscotti, or cantucci, made natural and gluten-free thanks to almond flour. Gluten-free biscotti are wonderful dunked in coffee or given as a holiday gift.
Gingerbread Cookies - The BEST Recipe!
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Easy Chocolate Caramel Truffles & Chocolate Caramel Latte
Paired with a 2-ingredient Chocolate Caramel Latte, these easy, lactose free, 4-Ingredient Chocolate Caramel Truffles make a delicious breakfast as they are, or, coat them in chocolate for a delightful afternoon treat or dessert.
Chocolate Beet Biscotti {Gluten-Free}
If you happen to love beets, then these Chocolate Beet Biscotti will disappoint you as you’d hardly taste the beets in these – guess that’s good news for you beet-haters eh?
Chocolate Fudge Cookie Bites
They’re a Weight Watchers recipe and I think it’s nice to have a “lighter” cookie that still tastes great during the holidays among all the temptations. Use your favorite sprinkles to jazz them up.
Lasso the Moon cookies
Before you fire up this year’s viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life, make a quick batch of Lasso the Moon cookies for snacking. These crescent moon cookies are completed with a chocolate lasso.
Vegan banana bread cookies with chocolate chips
Vegan banana bread cookies with chocolate chips are little pillows of puffy sweetness. Save room for them on your holiday cookie tray.
Healthy Vegan Recipe for Rum Balls (No Bake)
These easy no-bake rum balls are super fudgy but secretly healthy thanks to hidden black beans. Low in calories, sugar-free, dairy-free but high in protein and fiber! A healthy treat for the holidays.
Almond Crescent Cookies-grain free w/ vegan & keto option
These Almond Crescent Cookies are a melt-in-your-mouth delicious and healthier re-creation of one of my childhood favorite cookies. This “guaranteed to please” recipe is grain-free with a dairy-free & low-carb / keto option.
4-Ingredient Sugar-Free Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies made from peanut butter, an egg, flour, and jelly. They are small and can be prepared and baked in less than 30 minutes. They are sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
Slump Slaying Mocha Almond Bites
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Moist and totally decadent bites naturally sweetened with wholesome raisins!
Chocolate Dipped Cardamom Orange Paleo Shortbread Cookies (vegan)
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Gluten Free, Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
These here are proof that cookies can be tasty and good fo ya! Packed with flax meal and oats, these Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies also happen to be gluten-free and butter-free!
Peppermint White Chocolate Protein Bites
Life needs balance right? So, how about balancing off some of the treats of this holiday season with some of these gluten free, no-bake, Peppermint White Chocolate Protein Bites?
Boozy Christmas Cake Cupcakes
Rich, dense and simply decadent, these Boozy Christmas Cupcakes are made with brandy, rose water and molasses soaked fruits, nuts, and spices - and are an exquisite treat to add to your Christmas dessert table!
Ingredients
For the boozy fruit/nut mix:
- 2/3 cup Strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup fruit and peel mix
- 1/4 cup candied ginger
- 12 medjool dates pitted, leave whole
- 2/3 cup raisins
- 2/3 cup pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 teaspoons rose water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons molasses
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup brandy
For the batter:
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup Spelt flour
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 3 eggs
Instructions
For the boozy fruit/nut mix:
- Add the Strawberry jam, fruit and peel mix, candied ginger, medjool dates, raisins, pecans, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, rose water, vanilla extract, molasses, maple syrup and brandy to a container, mix till well blended. Cover and keep in a cool dry place for 3-4 days.
For the Boozy Cupcakes:
- Then, on the 4th day -
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees
- Then place the boozy fruit/nut/spice mix in a food processer (this way you don't have to hand chop everything before) and pulse a few times.
- Then add in the light brown sugar, Spelt flour, butter and eggs into the food processor and pulse till well blended.
- Spoon mix into lined cupcake tray and bake for 45-50 minutes - check with a toothpick to make sure cupcakes are not sticking to it and are done.
- Let cool completely and enjoy.
- *The longer these sit, the better they seem to taste.
Nutrition Information
Yield 14 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 331Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 57mgSodium 78mgCarbohydrates 54gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 3gSugar 41gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 4g
These Boozy Christmas Cupcakes were also featured in Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times ~ You can read the article here.
I’d love to know if you happen to make this recipe (or any other on here) so pretty please tag me @SavorySpin and #SavorySpin on Instagram, Twitter &/or Facebook. And, if you haven’t yet, then please make sure to subscribe to my email list to have all sorts of eats, treats and delightful ramblings delivered right to your inbox!
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