Christmas Cupcakes

Pre-heat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced).

1.  Place flour, allspice and butter in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until it resembles fresh breadcrumbs. Remove to a bowl and fold in feta and currants.
2. Fork whisk together the pumpkin and milk. Add to flour mixture and combine until mixture just comes together. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and bring together, knead lightly and press out to a 2cm thickness.
3. Using a floured 6cm scone cutter cut out scones, placing them onto a lightly floured oven tray. Brush lightly with milk and sprinkle with almonds. Bake for approx. 15 minutes until golden on the base. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve with a spread of butter.

1. Preheat oven to 170ºC. Place raisins, sultanas and rum in a bowl and set to one side.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar, until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
4. Sift flours, mixed spice and cinnamon.
5. Add breadcrumbs, finely chopped hazelnuts, chocolate, buttermilk, rum soaked fruit and butter mixture and mix well to combine.
6. Prepare 8 pudding basins (200ml capacity): spray pudding basins with oil and line the bottom with baking paper.
7. Divide evenly between prepared pudding basins.

Steaming Instructions
Place basins into a baking dish, and pour in enough boiling water to ½ fill the baking dish, cover with foil. Steam bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake for a further 20 minutes.

Microwave Instructions
Cook in microwave on defrost setting (300W) for 15 minutes, check if a skewer inserted into pudding comes out clean. If not cooked, microwave at 5 minute intervals, until skewer comes out clean. Stand for 10 minutes before turning out. Repeat with remaining mixture. (Note: Do not use foil in microwave).

1. Grease the base and sides of a 1.5L pudding basin. Combine prunes, raisins, sultanas and brandy in a microwave proof bowl and cook for 2 minutes. Stir well and set aside.
2. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until smooth and pale. Add eggs one at a time until well incorporated. Fold in the flour, breadcrumbs, cocoa, chocolate and mixed spice, followed by the fruit mixture. Mix until well combined.
3. Pour batter into prepared pudding basin and cover (if no lid, use a couple of layers of baking paper and secure with string or a large elastic band. Then cover with a layer of foil, securing with a large elastic band. Place into a large pot with a small saucepan in the base. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover with a lid and simmer for 3 hours. Top up water as required.
4. Remove from pot and either serve immediately, or leave in the basin and refrigerate until required.
5. For butterscotch sauce, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, and gently bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
6. For mascarpone cream, fold mixed spice into mascarpone and set aside until required.
7. For serving, place upturned pudding onto a serving plate and dollop with mascarpone and drizzle with butterscotch sauce. Decorate with seasonal fruits and toasted nuts.