Christmas Cupcakes
Preparation 30 Minutes
Cook 30 Minutes
Serves 12
Method
Preheat oven to 180Β°C (160Β°C fan-forced).
Line a 12-hole muffin pan with paper patty cases. In a bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter, mixed spice and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Fold in flour alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in Sunbeam sultanas.
Spoon mixture into paper cases until two-thirds full.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes, before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the icing: beat cream cheese with icing mixture. Slowly fold melted and cooled chocolate.
Ice the cupcakes and decorate with mini gingerbread houses.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
160g Caster Sugar
125 grams butter softened
3 Eggs
1 teaspoons Mixed spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
100g Sunbeam Sultanas
200g Self Raising flour
65g Milk
Icing
250 gram cream cheese
1/2 cup icing mixture
100 gram white chocolate
Recipe Collection
Sultana & Date Scones
Rum & Raisin Profiterole Wreath
To make the custard, combine raisins and rum in a small bowl and allow to soak for 10 mins.Β Β Drain and roughly chop the raisins.
Combine milk, cream and vanilla in a medium sized, heavy based saucepan over medium heat.Β Β Not letting the milk come to a boil, stir until warmed.Β
In a separate bowl combine egg yolks and sugar, whisk until mixed then add flour and whisk to incorporate.Β
Gradually add the egg mixture to the milk, whisking over a medium heat, until it is all added and incorporated.Β Β The custard will thicken, continue to whisk until smooth.Β Β Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before stirring through the soaked raisins.
To make the choux pastry, preheat oven to 190ΒΊC (170ΒΊC fan).Β Β Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper.Β
In a medium saucepan, combine butter and sugar with 250ml water.Β Β Stir over a medium-high heat until the water begins to boil and the butter has melted.Β Β Remove pan from the heat, add the flour and use a wooden spoon to vigorously mix to combine.Β Β The mixture will begin to resemble a dough β return pan to medium heat and cook for a further 1-3 mins, stirring, until you notice the dough pulling away from the sides of the pan.Β Β Spoon the dough into a bowl of a stand mixer and allow to cool slightly (10 mins).
Fit the stand mixer with a whisk attachment.Β Β Add vanilla bean paste and 1 egg and whisk until just combined.Β Β Repeat with remaining eggs until your dough is glossy.
Transfer the mixture to a large piping bag fitted with large, round, open tip.Β Β Spray the surface of the baking paper with a fine mist of water.
Pipe 12 rounds, evenly spaced, onto each prepared tray.Β Β Bake for 30-40 mins, ensuring the oven door stays closed for the first 25 mins, until the pastries are puffed and golden.Β Β In the final 5 mins, prick the base of the pastries with a toothpick and return to the oven to dry out.
Turn off the oven and open the door, allow pastries to cool completely in the oven.
Once the pastries are cool dip in melted chocolate (white and dark) and rest on a baking rack until chocolate sets.
Pipe each profiterole with the rum and raisin custard.Β Β Arrange in a wreath shape on a large, round serving platter.Β Β Decorate with cherries, raspberries and mint leaves.Β Β Generously drizzle with chocolate sauce to serve.
Asparagus with Proscuttio, Parmesan & Pine Nuts
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
Place the asparagus in a single layer on a baking tray. Do not overcrowd. Drizzle with olive oil and lightly season with salt and pepper. Toss around to evenly coat.
Top the asparagus with prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the prosciutto is crisp and asparagus tender.
Crunchy Apple Slaw
- Place pinenuts and sesame seeds in a small frying pan and cook for 5 minutes until golden and toasted. Set aside.
- Combine the cabbage, apples, spring onions, raisins and mint in a large mixing bowl and toss well.
- Whisk together the oil and vinegar. Season to taste. Pour over apple mixture and toss well. Spoon onto serving platter and sprinkle with toasted seeds and nuts and some additional mint leaves.
Apricot & Sunmuscat Sultana Bread & Butter Pudding
Cut bread into 3 cm cubes. Layer bread and sultanas over base of a 2 litre baking dish, drizzle with 2 Tbsp of the melted butter, and toss gently.
In a bowl or large jug, whisk eggs until smooth. Add jam, milk, 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla to the jug. Whisk again until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Gently press with a spoon to submerge the bread in the liquid. Set aside for 15 mins while oven preheats.
Preheat oven to 200Β°C. Drizzle pudding with remaining 1 Tbsp butter and extra 1 Tbsp sugar.
Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until top is golden and puffed, but still just-wobbly in the centre. Cover loosely with foil in the last 15 minutes, if browning too quickly.
Cool 10 mins before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature, with custard and fresh berries.
Tips
Milk and butter can be substituted with diary free versions if preferred.
Apricot jam can be substituted with orange marmalade.
If bread is fresh, leave on bench for an hour or two once diced, to dry out slightly.
Banana Date Loaf
- Pre-heat oven to 180Β°C (160Β°C fan-forced). Line a 10 x 20cm loaf pan with baking paper. Place bananas and dates in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add eggs and oil. Pulse until well combined.
- Transfer banana mixture to a mixing bowl and fold in flour, coconut, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and cranberries. Pour into prepared loaf pan and sprinkle top with the seeds. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow to cool before slicing.
