Festive Books & Baking Nigella Lawson's Christmas Cake With My Mum!

[@pamelapoet9]

Donna, I love the picture of 19-year-old you conquering the holiday fruit cake. It's a wonderful story. And a wonderful snapshot of your mum and dad. Miranda, as always, this was just a heart-warming delight.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much Pamela! xxx

[@elizabethsteele9708]

You two warm my heart! I miss my mother so much and you help fill a place in my heart that is hard to fill. Thank you for sharing your memories, recipes and excerpts from your lovely books. You are really helping me to enjoy this holiday season. Your website is truly a treasure! ❤️

[@tanya4858]

I love watching you and your mom .it just makes me so happy. Y’all always put a smile on my face.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! That’s so kind of you to say 😊❤️

[@shelleyimmel8067]

I order from Collins Street Bakery as well😊

[@Sherlika_Gregori]

I look forward to these videos with your mum. Thank you.

[@MirandaMills]

So happy to hear that! Thank you! Xx

[@pennymiller225]

Your tea reads video has become required viewing for me a weekends, so lovely, cosy, and friendly. I think everyone watching feels they are sitting in your kitchen beside that crackling fire , enjoying your company. Loved ‘What Katy Did’ , haven’t read it for years but vividly remember the scene you read aloud. Thank you again for such a lovely episode x

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your lovely words, Penny! So glad you enjoy our Tea Reads. The Katy books are so lovely! xxx

[@Noortje-hm3ov]

How much I love your Christmassy vlogs. For me it feels like being on a little holiday in your beautiful cosy home. Have a wonderful weekend to you both😘😘😘

[@MirandaMills]

Oh I'm so happy to hear that you enjoy them! Thank you very much. Hope you're having a cosy weekend xxx

[@elizabethbass2641]

The original Collins Street Bakery was near where I grew up and always featured in our holidays. So hilarious to think that it created Christmas memories in England, as well. 😀

[@RichardFarley1976]

Another great video. I love seeing you both cooking your recipes and the themed reads at the end. It always seems that we are in the room with you both. Thank you

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely weekend 🎄💫📚

[@gcm2734]

Wonderful episode! What a cake! Love hearing your family stories! I dip into The Country Child throughout the year too. It's the loveliest seasonal memoir ☺ xxx

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! It is such a lovely read, I agree! xxx

[@marionbuck4244]

What a cheerful episode! I so enjoy your baking sessions, Miranda and Donna. I adored the story of Donna‘s first Christmas cake. So funny! And once again you both read such beautiful and touching passages. 🎄🎄

[@MirandaMills]

So happy you enjoyed it, Marion! Thank you very much! Hope you’ve got a relaxing weekend ahead of you 🎄❤️

[@julierogers1155]

Oh my god, a SPATULA! My day has been made! Cheers.

[@MirandaMills]

Haha glad to hear it! A simple wooden spoon has yet to fail us though 😉

[@julierogers1155]

@@MirandaMills Wonderful. I do love that a wooden spoon will not pollute our environment for almost eternity should it be discarded. That honey jar, though, needed a spatula! Thank you for yet another video that was a joy to watch.

[@patricia07villegas]

I love watching you two sharing your tea always cheerful and welcoming!!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! Have a fabulous weekend 😊🎄❤️

[@anisopteras]

An enchanting episode!

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much Margaret! xxx

[@MyLocsareREAL]

Miranda Your Sweater is FABULOUS🥰!!! I love it and Donna looks Gorgeous and Festive as Usual with her Beautiful Purple Sweater... That Cake look tooPretty to eat...Donna’s a gifted storyteller, I love listening to her💕💕 she described the panicky state of a 19 year old preparing a First Christmas Dinner to the tee (everything is an emergency at that age).... I tell you this Like ALL the time but I could listen to You and Donna read for hours😊🥰...Thank you so much Miranda

[@MirandaMills]

Aw thanks so much as always for your lovely comment, Kiki! So glad you enjoyed our video. Hope you’ve got a super weekend ahead of you! ❤️😊🎄

[@nicolegarrett7287]

Absolutely delightful and enchanting. I could have watched and listened for 30 more minutes. This was so lovely.

[@irhonda31]

My mother (we’re in California) orders from Collins bakery every Christmas. When you were describing those cakes from your uncle, I thought “Those sound like Collins fruit cakes.” Beautiful presentation on your cake! I’m bingeing on your old videos! l love that Capote story; he was a terrific writer.

[@GinaHouse]

The fruit cake looked so beautiful! Hooray to your mom! I love the edible glitter and stars. My mom didn't bake very much growing up, but my Italian grandmother always made cakes and cookies for the holidays. She would always make a fruit cake (which I never tried because I was scared of it...lol), butterball cookies, magic bars, and sometimes a special Italian cookie. My favorite were the magic bars (thick, chunky bars made with coconut, chocolate, nuts and a few other things with a graham cracker crust bottom) - sooo good. They almost tasted like a coconut cheesecake bar with lots of chocolate chunks inside. YUM. I'm attempting to make some Gingerbread Men cookies this year. YOu inspired me! We'll see how they turn out! Thank you for the lovely Christmas excerpts - I love when you and your mom read to us! Many hugs to you and your mom, as always. Can't wait until the next episode! xoxo :D

[@MirandaMills]

All those baked goods your grandmother made sound absolutely amazing! What great memories. Hope you have fun baking gingerbread men! Enjoy your weekend and hugs from us too xxx

[@kathywilson7071]

Your Christmas cake looks wonderful. I could not believe it when you mentioned the Collin Street Bakery! Having grown up in Texas, someone was always sending us one of these fruitcakes. They were not my favorite, but, my mother loved them and Christmas would not have been Christmas without them. Thanks for the memory!!

[@MirandaMills]

Oh how funny!! So happy someone else knows of them 😀

[@marywelton7738]

You guys are such a joy to watch. I,ll be with you from on. PURE JOY

[@zoemahon4749]

Hooray for the spatula...and a nice Christmassy coloured one at that!

[@MirandaMills]

We aim to please!

[@teresaparkins1255]

Hello Donna and Miranda. I think we could tell just how good a cook your dear Mum is, Miranda, by your wonderful reaction to your first mouthful of cake!! Lovely readings and a lovely video, thank you. I have made Delia's traditional Christmas cake and I will make the marzipan but probably buy fondant icing for it. My Mother-in-law used to make a Tunis cake and I plan to find a recipe to make one for us this year. Jane Brocket in her book about recipes in children's literature called "Cherry Cake & Ginger Beer" has a recipe for Jumbles (inspired by What Katy Did at School) but they are not S shaped and use self-raising flour as the American version, she says, became cake like. I have baked Jumbles often but I use The WI Book of Biscuits which uses plain flour and these are S shaped. I recommend trying them both. Until next time have a wonderful week, Teresa ❤️🌲❤️

[@MirandaMills]

It really is an amazing cake!! I have Jane Brocket’s book so will look up her recipe. The WI book sounds great too! Thanks for the recommendations, Teresa! Have a wonderful weekend 😊🎄❤️

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

That cake looks amazing! Love the warm and cozy setting you have there... What a lovely afternoon it must have been.

[@MirandaMills]

THank you so much, Julie! It was indeed a such a cosy and joyful afternoon xxx

[@cristinasimcox608]

Hi Miranda and Donna!!! So nice to see you back again!!! I' m always looking forward to your videos and vlogmas!!!The chocolate Christmas cake looks delicious!!! I have also enjoyed all your book reading!!! Happy weekend!!! 😘😘🌸🌺🌾📚

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much for the lovely comment Cristina! I’m so glad you’re enjoying these videos. Have a lovely weekend 😊🎄❤️

[@CAROLINAPARISLONDON]

Oooh, that chocolate fruit cake looked beautiful!!!!!! We don’t eat Christmas cake in France but I sure would love to try! May I add that you both looked lovely with your jumpers. As always thank you for what is quickly becoming my favorite Chanel! Merci Donna et Miranda.☺️✨🌟✨

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much for your lovely words! I definitely recommend trying the cake sometime - it's so good! Mind you, I do love Bûche de Noël too!! xxx

[@juliavasquez82]

Thank you Donna and Miranda for sharing this lovely video. The cake looks delicious and the reads were just perfect. Have a nice weekend!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Julia! You too 😊 xxx

[@juliavasquez82]

@@MirandaMills Thanks😀

[@ruthlloyd1163]

Only recently found your channel. I’m so tickled about your reference to Collin Street Bakery, as I’m watching you from Texas. My mother and mother-in-law loved their fruitcake.

[@tammiep9628]

I am going to have to make that cake, it looks really good. I loved hearing your stories of the past, Donna and her “ just cut off the burnt parts” fruitcake and Miranda with your great uncle sending you the large fruitcakes. I haven’t found a fruitcake that my family likes. I would like to find one because I love the tradition of it. I am not baking this year but usually I make several kinds of Cookies and for Christmas Day I bake a white layer cake with white butter cream frosting. It is really good. It has become a tradition for my family.

[@MirandaMills]

We definitely recommend this cake, Tammie! So glad you enjoyed this video - thank you! That white layer cake sounds amazing xxx

[@karenbrowne7233]

Oh my, that cake looked so delicious, and who doesn’t love a bit of edible glitter 😍 Your grandma sounds as though she was just my kind of lady, loved her advice to your mum, made me chuckle, you can see why your mum is so chilled about everything, good roots ☺️ A spatula is great, and has its uses, but I’d just like to say for all those spoons out there ‘vive le cuillere’ 🥄😂 A fun video as usual; for those of us who aren’t able to see family at the moment, you two fill a big gap with your fun, laughter, perfect readings and of course your delightful family stories 💫🥰

[@MirandaMills]

Haha thank you, Karen! 😄 Spoons are great too 😂 So glad you enjoyed the video! I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you! ❤️🎄💫

[@Cardenio2012]

As always, you and your mom are so delightful to watch. Your Christmas cake looks delicious! I ask my sister to make rum fruitcake every year to eat and give out as gifts. She starts it in late October or early November and it needs rum-soaking every week. It’s a recipe by David Leibovitz and it’s my favorite Christmas treat. I also love Ina Garten’s Fruitcake Cookies.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! Both those recipes sound delicious - I’ll have to look them up! Have a lovely weekend 😊🎄❤️

[@joannabailey9414]

I have this book too, but the idea of chocolate and fruit cakes has left me wondering up until now; perhaps I will change my mind? I make a tradition fruit cake following a ‘Betty’s’ recipe that was in The Telegraph years ago. I make the almond paste too because I love that and require an extra thick layer! Icing however is the thinnest snowfall on the top. The cake was made in September, the almond paste went on two weeks ago, the icing is always a last minute job.

[@MirandaMills]

It doesn't actually taste very chocolatey - just so moist and rich. I'm sure the Betty's recipe is lovely for a traditional fruit cake! xxx

[@GnuLondon]

This was such a joy to watch

[@MirandaMills]

Yay! Thank you 😊❤️

[@crystalthechurchmousestitc1888]

Hi Miranda and Donna! Your Christmas fruitcake looks beautiful and delicious. I usually order a small fruitcake every Christmas as I am about the only one who likes it. This year, for something a little different, I got a chocolate one that is delicious. I have made the fruitcake using gum drops. It is only the orange slice gum drops that my recipe calls for along with dates, coconut, and pecans along with the other usual ingredients. These cakes are very good too. I have not made one in several years but I now feel inspired to make one this year. I remember seeing a movie similar to the Truman Capote reading where the lady knew the first of November was fruit cake weather and she made many of them which she shared with her neighbors and relatives every year. I don't remember the name of the movie but I do remember I liked it. Have a wonderful weekend....... Crystal.

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much, Crystal! How fun that you've made gum drop cakes - I'm intrigued by them! xxx

[@InspiredByPri]

Delicious! I will definately give this one a try on my Channel. Thanks!

[@lizdorrington2851]

What a lovely video! I love your sweater too Miranda.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Liz! xxx

[@Emma_S76]

I've been looking forward to this all week! Thank you for another wonderful video! Have a lovely weekend 💞.

[@MirandaMills]

Oh that’s so lovely of you to say! Thank you. Enjoy your weekend too 🎄❤️

[@moominesque6081]

Thank you for another great video. Love to see you and your mum baking, and later sitting by the fire enjoying what you've made, not to mention the extracts from your favourite festive books. I have the Nigella Christmas book, but I have never tried that recipe - I will be now! (Lakeland sell a heatproof baking band that fits around the outside of a baking tin - it prevents a singed edge, which as discussed, can sometimes happen with fruit cakes).

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying these videos 😊 We so recommend the Nigella recipe - it’s utterly delicious. That baking band sounds fab 😄❤️

[@yumiari2469]

Such a lovely tea reads. Loved it so much and loved both your stories about Christmas fruit cakes. Made me laugh 😂 so much. Also the tea reads were amazing as usual and touching. My only attempt in making a Christmas fruit cake was 10 years ago, I was newly married and I helped my mother in law chop up so many dried fruit and line the cake tin with 7 layers of baking paper... I didn’t enjoy the whole process 😂😂. However your recipe sounds so scrumptious I’ve got to try it out. Thank you 😊 🙏

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much, Yumi!! So glad you enjoyed it. Oh, those layers of baking paper!! Definitely recommend giving this cake a go though - it's so very delicious. Hope you're having a lovely lead up to Christmas xxx

[@countrysnippets]

A joy to watch Miranda, what a lovely episode and a lovely reminder of reading the What Katy did stories as a child. I usually make a traditional fruit cake from my Aga cook book by Mary Berry, though I have used some of the recipes from Nigellas Christmas book too. 😊

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Sue! The What Katy Did stories are so lovely- favourites from my childhood too 😊 Always love Mary! Xxx

[@Christine-fx7ql]

Miranda and Donna, thank you for the lovely video. The Christmas cake looked delicious, I have never tried adding cocoa powder or chocolate, I will bookmark the recipe for next year. The extracts read were perfect for getting one in the festive spirit, some of my favourites. Thank you again!

[@MirandaMills]

We so recommend the recipe, Christine! Truly delicious. So glad you enjoyed the extracts. Have a wonderful weekend xxx

[@georgiam4576]

Great video, your Christmas cake looks so tempting! Very evocative readings too, and may I just say, you both look particularly smart today, Donna's cardigan looks so cozy and the colour is gorgeous! Have a good weekend xx

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Georgia! Hope you have a wonderful weekend too xxx

[@Michele-sn6et]

Another Friday evening vlog I do so enjoy these vlogs great start to the weekend you make me want to eat Christmas cake now x

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much, Michele! We definitely felt festive after our cake & chat today. Have a lovely weekend 😊🎄

[@x.bev.x3006]

Have sooo enjoyed your posts. Have asked for The Almanac by Lia Leendertz, from Santa, and also ordered another of your recommendations. Glad you love Yorkshire!!!

[@MirandaMills]

So happy to hear that! Thank you xxx

[@khayes8111]

Such a christmassy and nice video. I've made this cake twice -first time it worked perfect, even managed to get hold of the stars Nigella used think they were from Jane Asher's company it was yummy and delicious . 2nd time... something went wrong, think I got the butter wrong or the oven wasn't working, something... and it was terrible! But that is on me - Nigella's Christmas book is the best and the recipes tend to be fail safe.

[@suzannegagne8692]

I’ve been making fruitcakes for the last 30 years and give several as gifts. Some people wait anxiously for their cake and my immediate family like to make jokes about my cakes but still I persist! My cakes are fruit only with rum…lots of rum.

[@cassandra3399]

Hi Miranda, I loved the whole episode both cake and stories! You made the cake look so lovely! The ribbon touch was perfect! Now, here is my question. I copied out the recipe but living in the USA, don’t have a clue as to how to bake with grams. Could you convert those ingredients to cups for me? Thank you so much!

[@MirandaMills]

If you look at the recipe on Nigella’s site (linked in description box), you can see you can choose the ingredients to be shown in cups xx

[@cassandra3399]

@@MirandaMills Thank you so much!