No-Bake Christmas Chocolate Biscuit Cake 🎄

A rich, festive chocolate dessert loaded with crunchy biscuits, dried fruits and nuts, finished with a glossy chocolate topping. No oven required!

Ingredients

For the chocolate biscuit cake

• 300 g plain tea biscuits or digestive biscuits

• 150 g butter

• ½ cup sugar (100 g)

• ½ cup milk (120 ml)

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder (35–40 g)

• 1 tsp vanilla essence

• ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds

• ½ cup raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dates

• ¼ cup chopped cherries or mixed candied fruit (optional)

For the chocolate topping

• 150 g dark or milk chocolate

• ½ cup whipping cream (120 ml)

For festive decoration

• Chopped pistachios

• Red and green candied cherries

• White chocolate shavings

• A little icing sugar for a snowy finish

Instructions

1. Prepare the biscuits

Break the biscuits into small chunks, leaving some larger pieces for texture. Mix with the nuts, raisins and candied fruit.

2. Make the chocolate mixture

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add sugar, milk and cocoa powder. Stir until smooth, then remove from the heat and add vanilla.

3. Combine

Pour the chocolate mixture over the biscuits and fruits. Stir until every piece is coated.

4. Shape and chill

Line an 8-inch cake tin or loaf tin with baking paper. Press the mixture firmly into the tin and smooth the top. Refrigerate for 2 hours while preparing the topping.

5. Add the ganache

Warm the cream until steaming, pour over the chopped chocolate and leave for 2 minutes. Stir until glossy. Spread over the cake.

6. Decorate and serve

Sprinkle with pistachios, cherries and white chocolate shavings. Refrigerate for another 2–4 hours until completely firm. Slice with a warm, dry knife.

Tips for a perfect Christmas dessert

• For a richer flavour: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a little orange zest.

• For extra crunch: Add roasted almonds, pistachios or hazelnuts.

• For a festive look: Decorate with red cherries and green pistachios to create Christmas colours.

• For clean slices: Keep the cake chilled and wipe the knife between cuts.

• Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Want another no-bake Christmas dessert?

Chocolate Christmas truffles

Rich bite-sized treats made with chocolate, cream and biscuit crumbs.

No-bake Christmas cheesecake

Creamy, smooth and elegant with a buttery biscuit base.

Chocolate Christmas clusters

Quick, crunchy chocolate treats that require only a few ingredients.