Christmas is a time for tradition, but TV chef Nigella Lawson has called for Brits to ditch one festive favourite as it ‘gathers dust’ on the table and nobody wants to eat it
Nigella Lawson has boldly declared what many have suspected for a long time – it’s high time to ditch a widely embraced Christmas tradition.
Despite its place as a staple in numerous British households during the festivities, Nigella has advised people to scrap the conventional Christmas cake in favour of treats more popular in the aftermath of devouring a hefty roast dinner.
The festive fruit cake, laced with booze and traditionally iced over marzipan, is a common sight during the holiday season. However, Nigella questions if anyone genuinely enjoys it, or if it merely remains untouched, “gathering dust” while nobody indulges.
The culinary legend proposes shaking up traditions, even if that entails baking a different kind of cake. In her discussion with The Sunday Times, she said: “Much as I love a slice of dense, damp Christmas cake, especially when eaten with a slice of strong, sharp cheese, I am surrounded by those who abominate dried fruit in all its seasonal manifestations.
“If no one in your family likes dried fruit, there’s no point having a Christmas cake gathering dust or just being eaten on sufferance. If chocolate cake appeals more, go for it.”
Indeed, for numerous people, the allure of chocolate is undeniable. She revealed that her family hinted at the need for a new tradition to maintain “harmony in the home”, so she introduced a chocolatey alternative. She was all for “embracing new Christmas rituals of our own” – particularly as making a Christmas cake is quite a time-consuming process, according to Candice Bannister from Candy’s Cupcakes.
Speaking to the Express, she advised that the best time to start making a Christmas cake, if you’re still up for it, is November, as it “allows ample time for the cake to develop its signature texture”, resulting in a cake that’s “both succulent and crumbly.”
You might be too late this year, but there’s always next Christmas. A survey from Ocado suggests that the popularity of Christmas cake has declined recently, with one in five people who either purchase or bake a Christmas cake confessing they don’t actually enjoy eating it.
