Easter Chickens
Preparation Minutes
Cook Minutes
Serves
Method
- Combine mixed fruit, dates, seeds mix, hazelnuts, coconut, coconut oil and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor. Blend well until a thick paste is formed. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and refrigerate.
- Place chocolate into a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Mix until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Combine coconut and food colouring, tossing until well distributed.
- Using a fork, pierce balls and dip into melted chocolate. Sprinkle with coloured coconut and set aside on a tray. Decorate with almonds, eyes and beaks. Refrigerate until required.
Ingredients
250g SUNBEAM Mixed Fruit
250g ANGUS PARK Medjool Dates
165g pkt SUNBEAM Seed Mix
120g pkt SUNBEAM Skinless Hazelnuts
½ cup desiccated coconut
⅓ cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
300g white chocolate buttons
½ cup desiccated coconut
10 drops yellow food colouring
Slivered almonds, edible eyes and lollies for beaks
Recipe Collection
Rum and Raisin Fudge
Lightly grease and line base and sides of a 20cm square baking tin.
Combine raisins and rum in a small bowl and allow to soak for 10 mins.
In a medium saucepan combine sweetened condensed milk, butter, sugar and golden syrup and constantly stir over a low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir constantly for about 8-10 mins until the temperature reaches between 113-115ºC.*
Remove pan from heat, add chocolate melts and soaked raisins and stir to combine. Transfer to prepared tin using a spatula to smooth the surface then allow to cool at room temperature for 5-6 hours until firm.
Cut into 5cm long slices then cut each slice into 8 rectangles.
If you don’t own a candy thermometer, you can also check if the fudge is ready by taking a small amount and dropping it into a glass of cold water. When the mixture sets into a soft ball that doesn’t stick to your fingers when gently pinched, the fudge is ready. This is referred to as “soft ball” stage.
Sunbeam Spiced Christmas Cake
In a large bowl, combine mixed fruit, cherries, nuts, apple, golden syrup and liquor. Mix well, cover and allow to stand overnight (or up to 24 hours for amazing flavour).
Preheat oven to 150ºC (130ºC fan forced). Very generously grease the bundt tin, ensuring butter is in all creases.
Add sugar and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a beater attachment. Beat until fluffy and pale. With the motor running, add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated before adding the next.
Add flour and spices, beat on low until just combined. Add orange zest and soaked fruit mixture and beat until just combined.
In a small bowl mix together orange juice and bicarbonate of soda, add to the cake batter and beat until just incorporated.
Spoon batter into the prepared bundt tin, using a spatula to press mixture into any crevices and flatten the surface.
Bake for 2 ¼ to 2 ½ hours or until the cake springs back when gently pressed in the centre. Allow cake to cool in the tin for an hour then invert onto a baking rack to remove and allow to cool completely.
Hot Cross Sultana Muffins
Cream together the butter, sugar and orange rind until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Sift together the flour, cinnamon and combine with the Sultana Bran, Sunbeam Sultanas and walnuts. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternatively with yogurt, until just combined. Spoon mixture into greased muffin pans filling ¾ full. Pipe on crosses. Bake in moderate oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve Warm.
Crosses:
Mix flour and water to a smooth paste. Fill into a small plastic bag, cut a small hole across the corner and use to pipe crosses.
Traditional Christmas Pudding
- Combine the fruit, brandy, rind and apple in a microwave safe bowl and mix well. Cover then microwave on 100% power for 2-3 minutes or until plumped. Allow to cool.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg, beating well between each addition. Fold in the sifted flour and spices, fruit mixture, breadcrumbs and almonds, mix well.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased and base paper lined 2 litre capacity pudding basin. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Place on an upturned saucer in the base of a large saucepan or boiler. Pour boiling water into the saucepan so that is comes halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 4 hours, topping up water every 20-30 minutes or as required.
- Remove from the basin onto a serving plate, flambé with a little brandy if desired then slice and serve with custard or ice-cream.
NB: If you do not have a lid for your basin: Cover with a greased double layer of foil and baking paper, create a deep pleat in the centre for expansion. Place over the basin and secure tightly with string. Trim the cover if necessary.
If you do not intend on using the pudding immediately, keep the cover intact and store in the fridge until required. Re- steam for 1 1/2 hours when required.
Hot Cross Bun Loaf
Place flour, yeast, sugar, allspice, cinnamon and salt in mixing bowl and briefly mix until combined.
Add in melted butter, warm milk, egg, sultanas and currants.
Mix with dough hook on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until a dough ball is formed and is coming away from the sides of the bowl.
Leave the dough covered with clingfilm in a warm place for approximately 1 hour or until doubles in size.
Knock the air out of the dough and then shape it into a loaf.
Place dough into a greased dough tin approximately 24cm x 13cm x 6.5 cm in size.
Cover dough with cling film again and let rise for approximately 40 minutes or until it has risen to about 70% of its original size.
Pre heat oven to 180 degrees.
Cross Method
Mix flour and water together until a thickish paste forms. Using a ziplock bag with the corner cut off or a piping bag, pipe crosses down the center of the loaf, and then across the other way three or four times.
Bake in the oven for 35 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when you tap it.
Let cool on a baking rack for 15-20 minutes.
Drizzle Method
Mix icing sugar and lemon juice together and drizzle over loaf whilst still slightly warm.
Cauliflower & Currants Salad
1. Preheat oven to 220ºC (200ºC fan forced). Line a baking tray with non stick baking paper.
2. Place cauliflower onto prepared tray; drizzle over olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until just tender and golden.
3. Spread hummus onto a serving plate; top with cauliflower; drizzle with glaze. To finish, sprinkle with currants and parsley. Serve.
