How to Soak Your Fruit for the Richest Flavour
One of the most important steps in creating a truly rich, moist Christmas cake happens before you even switch on the oven — it’s all in the soak.
Soaking your dried fruit helps soften the textures, intensify the flavours, and lock in moisture that lasts right through until Christmas Day (and beyond). Whether you're following Grandma’s handwritten recipe or trying your own twist, this one technique can make all the difference.
Why Soak Fruit Before Baking?
Dried fruit is naturally chewy and can absorb a lot of liquid. Soaking helps:
-
Plump the fruit to give your cake a softer bite
-
Infuse every raisin, cherry, and peel with warming festive flavour
-
Prevent the fruit from pulling moisture from your cake as it matures
What to Soak Fruit In?
Here are the most popular soaking options:
🍷 Alcohol-Based Soaks:
-
Brandy – Traditional and full-bodied
-
Rum – Deep and spicy
-
Whiskey – Smooth and smoky
Soak for at least 24–48 hours, or up to a week for a deeper flavour. Stir once a day and keep covered in a cool place.
🍊 Alcohol-Free Soaks:
-
Fresh orange or apple juice
-
Cold tea (Earl Grey or spiced chai work beautifully)
Soak for 12–24 hours and use immediately.
Shortcut Option: Pre-Soaked Fruit (We’ve Done the Work for You)
Short on time or want consistent results every year?
Our Luxury Mixed Fruit with Brandy is already gently infused with premium brandy, so you can skip the soaking and jump straight to the stirring.
Made with:
-
Sultanas, raisins, glacé cherries, apricots, prunes, mixed peel
-
Hand-blended and packed in Suffolk
-
Available in 1kg and 1.9kg sizes
👉 Shop Soaked Mixed Fruit Now →
When to Soak?
The earlier, the better!
We recommend soaking by mid-October if you’re baking for Stir-up Sunday (23rd November 2025). This gives you plenty of time to feed and mature your cake.
Pro Tip: Don’t Use a Plastic Bowl
Alcohol can react with plastic. Use glass, ceramic or stainless steel bowls, and cover with beeswax wrap or a plate.
Ready to Bake?
Whether you’re a seasoned stirrer or a first-time fruitcake maker, soaking your fruit sets the foundation for success. And if you want to make life easier (and tastier), choose our ready-soaked brandy mix and bake with confidence.
