Christmas Cake in Other Countries
In the United States, some people give fruitcakes as gifts at Christmastime, but they are not called Christmas cakes. In the neighboring country of Canada, however, such an item is properly labelled a Christmas cake, at least among the English-speaking majority.
In Japan, Christmas cakes are traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. They are simply a sponge cake, frosted with whipped cream, often decorated with strawberries, and usually topped with Christmas chocolates or other seasonal fruit. In the past, single women over the age of 25 were sometimes referred to in Japan as a "Christmas cake" (Japanese: クリスマスケーキ Kurisumasu kēki) based on the belief that just as a Christmas cake is unwanted after December 25th, single women become unwanted after their 25th birthday.
In the Philippines, Christmas cakes are bright rich yellow pound cakes with macerated nuts or fruitcakes of the British fashion. Both are soaked in copious amounts of brandy or rum mixed with a simple syrup of palm sugar and water. Traditionally, civet musk is added, but rosewater or orange flower water is more common now, as civet musk has become very expensive. These liquor-laden cakes can usually stay fresh for many months provided they are handled properly.
In Germany, Stollen, a traditional German fruitcake, is popular. During the Christmas season, it's also called Weihnachtsstollen or Christstollen.
In Cyprus, it is served on Christmas Day. It is the first treat the locals serve to their guests. Cypriot Christmas cake is much like the UK equivalent.
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