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
IceCream Torte & Caramel Fig Sauce
Line a 12cm x 26cm x 8cm terrine tin with plastic wrap, leaving enough to be able to cover the top completely.
Pulse dried fruit in a food processor to roughly chop. Combine in a bowl with the port. Set aside for 2 hours.
In a food processor blitz cookies to fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse to combine.
Whisk 2 cups (500ml) cream to soft peaks. In a separate bowl, lightly beat condensed milk and lemon juice together. Fold whipped cream into condensed milk mixture, then fold in drained fruit mixture and nuts. Spread a third of the cream mixture over the base of the lined terrine, then top with half the biscuit mixture, then repeat again with cream mixture & biscuits. Enclose with plastic wrap, then freeze overnight.
Place figs in a bowl, cover with boiling water, then set aside for 30 minutes.
Combine sugar and remaining 200ml cream in a pan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Drain figs (discard liquid), add to cream mixture and simmer for 1 minute. Cool.
To serve, invert terrine onto a serving plate and spoon over caramel figs with their syrup.
Easter Chocolate Bark
Grease and line a standard baking tray. Set aside.
Place each chocolate flavour in separate bowls. Microwave each bowl in 20 second bursts, stirring in between, until melted.
Divide the white chocolate into 3 separate bowls. Add a few drops of pink colouring to one and stir.
Add a few drops of purple colouring to the second bowl and stir.
Pour the milk chocolate into prepared tray, tilting the tray until the whole base is covered.
Spoon each of the coloured and plain white chocolate onto different spots on the chocolate. Sprinkle with Sunbeam mixed fruit.
Using a skewer, make swirls in the chocolate to create a marble effect. Decorate with chosen sprinkles and cool to set.
Cut or break up chocolate to serve. Great as a gift too!
Hot Cross Bun Choc Truffles
Combine hot cross buns, sultanas, mixed peel and mixed spice in a food processor and blend until a fine crumb.
Combine dark and milk chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 2 mins (stopping every 30 seconds and stirring) until the chocolate is completely melted.
Add melted chocolate mixture to the food processor and blend until combined. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours until firm enough to spoon.
Spoon mixture into 2 tablespoon sized portions then roll into balls. Roll in cocoa powder, dusting off excess powder. Line a baking tray with baking paper, place balls onto the tray and refrigerate for 30 mins to harden.
Place white chocolate into a small, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 min, stopping every 20 seconds to stir, or until completely melted. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a piping bag fitted with a small, round nozzle.
Pipe a cross (to resemble a hot cross bun) onto the tops of each ball then return to fridge for a further 30 mins to set.
Chocolate Raisin Pudding
Pre-heat oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced).
- Roughly chop raisins and place in a small saucepan with port. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Place chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water, stirring often until melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
- Beat together the eggs, yolks and sugar until pale and increased in volume. Add chocolate mixture, mixing until well combined. Fold in flour with the raisins and mix well.
- Spoon mixture between 6 x 250 ml capacity oven proof serving dishes. Place onto an oven tray and bake for 10-12 minutes until just cooked. Allow to sit for 3-4 minutes before serving with cream or ice-cream.
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.
30 Minute Christmas Pudding
- Place fruit and brand in microwavable bowl and heat for 1 minute or until warmed through. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.
- Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift flour and mixed spice over butter mixture, then stir in breadcrumbs and fruit mixture. Mix well. Grease and flour a 1.5L microwavable bowl. Spoon mixture into bowl and smooth top. Cover with a pleated, double layer or baking paper secured with kitchen string.
- Cook in microwave on defrost setting (300W) for 30 minutes, rotating the bowl after 20 minutes. Test with a skewer inserted into pudding. If it doesn’t come out clean, microwave at 5 minute intervals until done. Leave pudding to stand for 10 minutes before turning onto a plate.
Optional meringue peak: In a heatproof bowl combine 90g egg whites with 150g caster sugar, place over a small saucepan of boiling water and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Use a stand mixer or handheld beater to whisk until very stiff peaks form (about 8-10 mins). Dollop the meringue on top of the pudding and use a kitchen blowtorch to toast.
