Christmas Mud Cakes with Chocolate Ganache
Preparation 20 Minutes
Cook 25 Minutes
Serves 12
Method
- Preheat oven to 150ºC (130ºC fan-forced). Line 12 x ⅓ cup capacity muffin pans with paper cases.
- Place mixed fruit into a food processor with boiling water and blend to a fine paste. Transfer to a large saucepan with butter, chocolate, milk and brown sugar. Place over a medium heat and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until the butter and chocolate has melted.
- Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer (or you can transfer to a clean bowl and use a hand mixer) and whisk in the eggs. Add flour mixture, cocoa, mixed spice and a generous pinch of salt. Mix until the batter is thick and smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared cases and smooth the surface. Bake for 25 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool.
- Heat cream until hot and pour over chocolate. Mix until smooth and desired consistency achieved. Spread over mud cakes.
Ingredients
3/4 cup pure cream
300g SUNBEAM Mixed Fruit
1 tbsp boiling water
250g unsalted butter, chopped
200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
330mL milk
⅓ cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1¾ cups plain flour, whisked with ½ tsp baking powder
¼ cup cocoa powder
2 tsp mixed spice
Sea salt
Ganache
¼ cup thickened cream
110g dark chocolate, chopped
Recipe Collection
Granola Bar
Preheat oven to 160°C.
- Grease and line an 18cm x 28cm slice pan with baking paper.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix melted butter and honey together and stir into dry ingredients
- Press mixture firmly into tin using the back of a spoon. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool in the tin before slicing into bars.
Fruit Mince Brownies
In a small saucepan heat mixed fruit and maple syrup until bubbling then remove from heat and set aside to infuse.
Approx 2 hrs
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 22cm square cake or brownie pan and line the base with baking paper.
Place chocolate, sugar and butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted and well combined. Remove from heat, cool slightly, then stir in eggs until well combined. Add flour, baking powder, cocoa, fruit mince, vanilla paste and nuts, stirring to combine. Spread into the pan and bake for 25 minutes or until just set.
Cool in pan, then dust with cocoa. Cut into 12 squares and serve. Brownies will keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Mini Fruit Mince Tarts
To make the fruit mince filling, add all ingredients to a large bowl, mix well, cover and allow to soak for at least 1 hour.
To make the pastry, add the flour, ginger, cinnamon, butter and sugar into a food processor and blitz until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk the egg and chilled water together in a small bowl, then slowly add to the food processor while it’s running until the mixture comes together into a dough. Remove from the food processor and shape into a disc. Wrap in cling wrap and place into the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 160℃.
Remove from the pastry from the fridge and roll out to a thin 0.3mm dough. Cut into 7cm circles using a cookie cutter or other round object, then place into lightly greased mini muffin tins (30ml capacity). Scoop the fruit mince between the pastry cases. Cut stars from the remaining pastry and place on top of each fruit pie. Brush with milk.
Place into the oven and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove and place onto wire racks to cool.
Spiced Meatloaf
Combine all ingredients except capsicum throughly. Place half of the sliced capsicum decoratively over the base of a loaf pan approximately 23cm x 9cm.
Gently spoon half the meat mixture on the capsicum.
Place remaining capsicum slices on top then spoon on remaining meat mixture, pressing meatloaf down firmly.
Bake in a moderate oven for 40 minutes or until cooked when tested.
Delicious served with a brown onion gravy.
Ricotta & Apricot Loaf with Thyme
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line the base and sides of a 10 x 20cm loaf pan.
- Combine butter, eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk well. Add flour and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the ricotta, apricots and thyme. Spoon into prepared pan and sprinkle the top with almonds and thyme. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan.
Fruit Cake Scrolls
Add the butter and coconut sugar to a mixing bowl and whip together with a fork until combined. Add in the Sunbeam Mixed Fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix again to combine well.
Transfer warm milk to the bowl of an electric mixer and sprinkle yeast on top. Add in sugar, egg, egg yolk and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
Place dough hook on stand mixer and knead dough on medium speed for 8 minutes. Dough should form into a nice ball.
Transfer dough ball into an oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Allow dough to rise for approximately an hour, or until doubled in size.
After dough has doubled in size, transfer dough to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 35x22cm rectangle. Spread the butter fruit mixture across the dough in a thin layer. Tightly roll dough up, starting from the shorter side. Cut into 2.5cm sections. You should get 9 large pieces. Place cinnamon scrolls in a greased 23x23cm baking pan or round 23cm cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Place into the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool before drizzling over melted chocolate, to serve.
