Ekani Ella Mary Berry Christmas cake bites are rich, festive little treats made from classic Christmas cake flavours rolled into bite-sized portions. They taste deeply fruity, lightly spiced, and indulgent without feeling heavy. These no-fuss bites are perfect for Christmas platters, edible gifts, or quick festive treats when you want something special without baking a full cake. Prepared using a simple mixing and shaping method, they come together quickly and are ideal for busy holiday schedules.
What Are Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites?
Christmas cake bites are small portions inspired by traditional British Christmas cake. Instead of baking, the mixture is bound together, shaped into balls, and finished with a coating. Mary Berry–style cake bites focus on balance, using dried fruits, gentle spice, and a soft binding texture that holds its shape while staying moist.
Other Popular Mary Berry Christmas Recipes
Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying
- No baking required – Saves oven space during Christmas
- Classic festive flavour – Inspired by traditional Christmas cake
- Perfect for gifting – Easy to package and share
- Quick preparation – Ready in under 30 minutes
- Portion-friendly – Ideal bite-sized treats
Essential Ingredients to Make Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Rich fruit cake (store-bought or homemade) – 300 g, crumbled
- Ground almonds – 75 g
- Icing sugar – 50 g
- Mixed spice – 1 teaspoon
- Orange zest – from 1 orange
- Orange juice – 2 tablespoons
- Apricot jam – 2 tablespoons
- Dark chocolate (optional, for coating) – 150 g
Handy Kitchen Tools for Best Results
- Large mixing bowl
- Fork or spoon
- Microplane or grater
- Baking tray
- Baking parchment
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Prepare the base – Crumble the fruit cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl, breaking up any large pieces.
- Add dry ingredients – Stir in the ground almonds, icing sugar, mixed spice, and orange zest until evenly combined.
- Bind the mixture – Add the apricot jam and orange juice, mixing until the mixture comes together and feels soft but not sticky.
- Shape the bites – Roll small portions of the mixture into even-sized balls using your hands.
- Chill briefly – Place the balls on a lined tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Coat if desired – Melt the dark chocolate gently and dip each bite, then return to the tray to set.
- Set and store – Allow the coating to firm fully before transferring to storage containers.
What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)
- Mixture too dry – Adding a little more orange juice solved this.
- Bites losing shape – Chilling before coating helped them hold firm.
- Overpowering spice – Reducing mixed spice kept flavours balanced.
- Sticky hands – Lightly damp hands made rolling easier.
Healthier Version of Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Lower sugar option – Reduce icing sugar slightly
- No chocolate coating – Keeps them lighter
- Smaller portions – Roll mini bites for portion control
- Nut-focused version – Increase almonds and reduce cake
Ingredient Substitutions for Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Fruit cake – Leftover Christmas pudding works well
- Ground almonds – Finely ground oats for a nut-free option
- Apricot jam – Orange marmalade for sharper flavour
- Dark chocolate – White or milk chocolate
Pairing Ideas: What to Serve With Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- After-dinner treats – Serve with coffee or tea
- Festive dessert boards – Pair with mince pies and truffles
- Gift boxes – Ideal for homemade Christmas presents
- Party platters – Easy finger food for gatherings
Expert Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Use fine cake crumbs – Helps the bites bind smoothly
- Zest carefully – Avoid bitter white pith
- Chill before coating – Prevents crumbling
- Work in small batches – Keeps shaping neat
- Use good-quality chocolate – Improves finish
- Store airtight – Maintains moisture and flavour
Creative Ways to Customize Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites
- Snowy finish – Roll in icing sugar or coconut
- Spiced coating – Add cinnamon to melted chocolate
- Nut topping – Sprinkle crushed pistachios
- Citrus twist – Add lemon zest alongside the orange
Storing Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites the Right Way
- Refrigerated storage – Keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week
- Layer carefully – Use parchment between layers
- Freeze for later – Freeze uncoated bites for up to 1 month
- Thaw gently – Bring to room temperature before serving
How to Reheat Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites (If Needed)
Reheating is not required. Serve straight from the fridge or at room temperature for the best texture and flavour.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~110 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~12 g
- Fats: ~6 g
- Protein: ~2 g
- Sugar: ~8 g
Mary Berry Christmas Cake Bites Recipe
Christmas cake bites are small portions inspired by traditional British Christmas cake. Instead of baking, the mixture is bound together, shaped into balls, and finished with a coating. Mary Berry–style cake bites focus on balance, using dried fruits, gentle spice, and a soft binding texture that holds its shape while staying moist.
- Prep Time: 20
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
-
Rich fruit cake (store-bought or homemade) – 300 g, crumbled
-
Ground almonds – 75 g
-
Icing sugar – 50 g
-
Mixed spice – 1 teaspoon
-
Orange zest – from 1 orange
-
Orange juice – 2 tablespoons
-
Apricot jam – 2 tablespoons
-
Dark chocolate (optional, for coating) – 150 g
Instructions
-
Prepare the base – Crumble the fruit cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl, breaking up any large pieces.
-
Add dry ingredients – Stir in the ground almonds, icing sugar, mixed spice, and orange zest until evenly combined.
-
Bind the mixture – Add the apricot jam and orange juice, mixing until the mixture comes together and feels soft but not sticky.
-
Shape the bites – Roll small portions of the mixture into even-sized balls using your hands.
-
Chill briefly – Place the balls on a lined tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
-
Coat if desired – Melt the dark chocolate gently and dip each bite, then return to the tray to set.
-
Set and store – Allow the coating to firm fully before transferring to storage containers.
FAQs
Do Christmas cake bites need to be baked?
No, Christmas cake bites are a no-bake recipe. The mixture is simply combined, shaped, and chilled, which makes them ideal when oven space is limited during the festive season.
Why is my cake bite mixture too crumbly?
This usually means there is not enough binding liquid. Adding a little more orange juice or apricot jam will help the mixture come together and hold its shape when rolled.
Can I make Christmas cake bites in advance?
Yes, they can be made several days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavour often improves after a day as the ingredients settle together.
How do I stop cake bites from sticking to my hands?
Lightly dampening your hands or chilling the mixture briefly before rolling helps prevent sticking and makes shaping easier.
Wrapping It Up
Mary Berry Christmas cake bites are an easy, festive way to enjoy the flavours of Christmas cake without baking a whole loaf. Simple to make, easy to share, and full of seasonal warmth, they are a perfect addition to any Christmas table or gift box.
