Red Velvet Cupcakes
Preparation 20 Minutes
Cook 25 Minutes
Serves 24
Method
Preheat oven to 170°C.
- Line 24 cupcake pans with paper cases.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Stir through the sugar and currants.
- Whisk the buttermilk, butter, eggs, vinegar and vanilla in a large jug until combined.
- Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Add the buttermilk mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir in the food colouring.
- Spoon the mixture into the paper cases. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredients
2 cups plain flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1½ cups caster sugar
⅔ cup Sunbeam Currants
1 cup buttermilk
200g unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs, lightly whisked
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1tsp red food colouring
Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)
1 x 250g pkt cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups pure icing sugar
120g butter, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla essence
Recipe Collection
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.
Christmas Fruit Pudding
- Combine fruit, brandy, rinds and apple. Cover and set aside overnight or for at least 2 hours.
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Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, beat in golden syrup. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition
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Combine breadcrumbs, flour, spices and almonds. Add creamed butter mixture and soaked fruit, mixing well to combine.
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Grease a 2 litre capacity pudding basin, line the base with a double layer of baking paper.
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Spoon mixture into the basin and smooth top. Double line the top with baking paper rounds.
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Take a 60cm long piece of baking paper and 60cm piece of foil, layer and fold in half, make a 3cm pleat in the middle (this allows for any expansion of the pudding). Place sheets over pudding and secure tightly with string. Place a wire rack onto the base of a large saucepan, fill one third with water and bring to boil. Carefully place pudding onto wire rack making sure the water level comes about halfway up pudding basin. Cover and simmer for 6 hours, replenish water when needed.
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Remove from water, stand for 10 minutes before turning out. Serve cut into slices with cream and maple syrup.
Fig, pistachio & sultana tarte tatin
Preheat the oven to 180. Heat a 12” cast-iron skillet or oven safe pan over medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Add the figs and saute for a minute or two until beginning to soften. Add the brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sugar has melted. Simmer the mixture for another minute or so to thicken.
Unfold the puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Trim the edges to create roughly a 10″ circle. Lay the dough on top of the figs to complete cover them, tucking the sides in around the edges. Place the skillet into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden.
When the tarte tatin is almost finished baking, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and pistachios. Toast the pistachios for a few seconds. Add the honey and a good pinch of salt. Stir to combine. After another 30 seconds or so, turn off the heat.
Transfer the skillet out of the oven. Place a large plate over the skillet and carefully invert the tarte tatin onto the plate. Spoon the honeyed pistachios over top. Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt. Cut into slices and serve warm, with a little extra honey drizzled over each slice.
Almond & Sultana Snowballs
Blitz ingredients in a small blender or kitchen wiz until sticky and evenly combined.
Roll into small balls (about 1 tablespoon (30g) each).
Coat in extra almonds & desiccated coconut.
Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
Keeps for up to 1 week refrigerated.
Gifting tip:
Pack them into a kraft paper box or clear cellophane bag tied with twine and a “Handmade with Love” tag for the perfect holiday treat
Broccolini and Beans
- Place broccolini and beans in a medium saucepan of boiling water and cook for 3 – 5 minutes. Remove and drain well.
- In a small saucepan cook butter, lemon, garlic and chilli for 1 minute. Add parsley and almonds. Pour over broccolini and beans and toss to combine. Serve.
Chocolate Bark Variations
Place the chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water. Cook until the chocolate is almost entirely melted, stirring frequently.
Cover a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to spread chocolate evenly over the centre area of the baking sheet—aim for about ¼″ thickness
Sprinkle the nuts, seeds & fruit evenly over the chocolate. Lightly use your palms to press the toppings into the chocolate.
Place the pan on a flat surface in the refrigerator to set.
Once the chocolate is completely hardened, use your hands to break it into about 25 pieces. Serve immediately, or cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.
