“Centuries ago, Twelfth Night was considered more important than Christmas Day, as the culmination of 12 days of celebration. The centrepiece of the feasting was a cake. Originally a fruit cake, it evolved into an almondy, buttery sponge- or pastry-based treat, and tradition has it that a bean, trinket or tiny ceramic figure should be hidden in the mixture. I top mine with this snow baby, inherited from my grandmother Doff, my Christmas angel.” – Lucy Brazier. You'll need a 20cm round cake pan for this recipe.

What you need to know before you start

You’ll need a 20cm round cake pan, a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or handheld electric beaters, a zester, mixing bowls, spoons and access to an oven. This recipe takes under an hour to complete, including 10 minutes of cooling time, and serves up to 8 people. 

Why is this the best Twelfth Night cake recipe?

This buttery sponge with a rich almond and orange flavour is simple to prepare and uses pantry staples to create a luscious cake that’s perfect for family gatherings or afternoon tea. Enjoy it warm straight from the oven during the festive season, or just because. You can also make it up to 1 week in advance and store it in an airtight container. 

What is the meaning of the Twelfth Night cake?

Dating back to centuries past, Twelfth Night cake refers to fruit cake that was traditionally made to celebrate the last day of the 12 days of Christmas. In early Christianity, the 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 5) were preceded by 40 days of fasting, so the Christmas period that followed was a great excuse to indulge in a period of serious festive feasting that would all culminate in one final celebration known as ‘Twelfth Night’. Elaborately decorated Twelfth Night cakes would be at the centre of the feast, and would come with a dried bean or little trinket hidden somewhere in the centre. Whoever found this in their slice would be declared king or queen for the day. Over time, the cake evolved into a buttery sponge cake. In our version, we place a small figurine on top of the cake. 

What ingredients you’ll need

Unsalted butter: Butter gives the cake its signature richness and moisture, helping to create a tender, smooth cake.

Caster sugar: Caster sugar dissolves easily into the batter, contributing to a light sweetness.

Orange: Both the zest and juice are used of an orange to infuse the cake with a fresh, fragrant citrus flavour. 

Eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability, helping the cake rise.

Plain flour: Flour forms the base of the cake, contributing to its lightness and providing structure.

Almond meal: The almond meal is used to add a subtle nutty flavor and moistness.

Plain yoghurt: Yoghurt contributes tanginess and moisture, making the cake soft and slightly dense while balancing the richness from the butter. 

How to make Twelfth Night cake

Preparing our version of Twelfth Night cake is simple and fuss-free. Before beginning the baking process, preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced and lightly grease a 20cm round cake pan and line with baking paper to prevent the cake from sticking.  

Once prepared, it’s time to make the batter of the cake which involves mixing butter, orange zest and sugar with flour and eggs. Fold in the remaining flour, almond meal, orange juice and yoghurt before spooning into the cake pan. Allow it to bake for about 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden, firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. 

Remember that it’s important to have your butter softened, to ensure you can whisk it with the sugar and other ingredients. If you’ve forgotten to take your butter out of the fridge, fill a glass that will fit your block of butter with boiling water and let it stand for 5 minutes (you want the glass to be really hot). Then empty the glass, place the butter on a plate and cover the butter with the hot glass turned upside down over the top. Stand for 10 minutes and your butter should soften.

How to store leftover Twelfth Night cake

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week. You can leave it at room temperature, or keep it in the fridge. 

How to serve Twelfth Night cake

This beautifully buttery cake is best served after your Christmas feast or for afternoon tea with a cup of tea or coffee. Present it on a cake platter and dust with icing sugar, additional orange zest or even crushed almond pieces. In keeping with tradition, you can even serve your Twelfth Night cake with a little dried bean or food-safe trinket hidden inside. 

If you love our Twelfth Night cake recipe, try this 

For more traditional desserts to enjoy this holiday season, try your hand at our selection of favourites:

• Christmas pudding
• Pavlova with spiced cherry compote
• Fruits of the forest Christmas trifle