What Is Stir-up sunday?
This year, Stir-up Sunday falls on 23rd November...
If you've ever wondered when to bake your Christmas cake, the answer may lie in a charming old tradition called Stir-up Sunday.
Held every year on the last Sunday before Advent, Stir-up Sunday is the unofficial signal for bakers across the UK to get stirring, soaking, and baking their fruit cakes — and it's a tradition we’re proud to carry on at Grandpa’s Cakes.
🎄 A Quick History of Stir-Up Sunday
Stir-up Sunday dates back to Victorian England, when churchgoers heard the words from the Book of Common Prayer:
“Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord...”
— a line that coincidentally reminded them to go home and literally stir up their Christmas pudding or fruit cake.
Families would gather around the mixing bowl, each person taking a turn to stir the cake mixture (always clockwise!) and make a wish. For many, this marked the start of the festive season.
📅 When Is Stir-Up Sunday in 2025?
This year, Stir-up Sunday falls on Sunday, 23rd November 2025.
That gives you the perfect window to:
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Soak your fruit (unless you're using our pre-infused mix 😉)
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Bake your cake early
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Mature and feed your fruitcake all the way to Christmas
🍒 Order by early November to get your luxury fruit mix delivered in time.
🧁 Why It Still Matters Today
In our busy modern lives, we could all use a moment to pause — to gather, stir, bake, and connect with the seasons.
Stir-up Sunday isn’t just about getting the timing right. It’s about:
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Creating a family ritual
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Starting Christmas in a warm, meaningful way
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Honouring old traditions with new generations
And of course, it’s about baking a deep, rich, delicious fruit cake that lasts all through December — and improves with every feeding.
🛍️ Need Fruit in a Hurry?
No time to soak?
Our Luxury Mixed Fruit with Brandy is pre-infused and ready to stir — just add eggs and flour and bake.
📦 Available in 1 kg and 1.9 kg bags, delivered UK-wide.
👉 Order yours in time for Stir-up Sunday →
👇 Don’t Miss the Moment
Mark your calendar for Sunday 23rd November, and make a wish while you stir.
Then bake something that tastes like memories.
Because Christmas doesn’t start in a shop — it starts in your kitchen.
