Sunbeam Spiced Christmas Cake

Preparation 15 MINS + Overnight soaking

Cook 2 1/2 HOURS

Serves 20

Method

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.

Ingredients

1kg Sunbeam Mixed Fruit

150g Sunbeam Glacé Cherries

70g Sunbeam Walnuts

70g Sunbeam Blanched Almonds, roughly chopped

1 apple, grated (peeled and core removed)

3 tbsp golden syrup

250ml Cointreau or brandy

275g brown sugar

250g butter, softened to room temperature, plus extra to grease tin

4 eggs

450g plain flour

2 tsp mixed spice

1 tbsp finely grated orange zest

60ml orange juice

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Recipe Collection

30 Minute Christmas Pudding

  1. Place fruit and brand in microwavable bowl and heat for 1 minute or until warmed through. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Roasted Peach Parfait with Gingerbread Granola

For the granola

Preheat the oven to 180℃.

In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon until all well combined.

Spread the mixture across 2 large baking trays lined with baking paper. Place into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, tossing the granola after 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow granola to cool completely before storing in airtight containers, or jars.

Notes

Granola will store in an airtight container or jar for up to 2 weeks.

 

For the Peaches

Preheat the oven to 180℃.

Place peach quarters into a baking dish, sprinkle over the coconut sugar, ginger and drizzle over the vanilla and lemon juice. Toss gently, then place into the oven for 15 minutes, or until just tender.

Meanwhile, make the Mascarpone Cream. Place the cream into a stand mixer and whip for until fluffy and stiff peaks form. Add the mascarpone and whip again until combined. Add in the sugar and whip again.

To assemble Parfaits, layer the Marscapone Cream and Roasted Peaches. Garnish with the Gingerbread Granola and coconut flakes. Repeat for another layer.

Beef Crostini Sunmuscat Relish

This appetiser is nice way to begin a Christmas meal.

For the relish. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add shallots, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add Sunmuscats, port, vinegar, chilly, and thyme sprig. Raise heat to medium-high, and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly. stir in chopped thyme, celery, salt, and pepper.

To serve, combine mayonnaise and mustard, and spread about 2 teaspoons on each slice of baguette. Top with a slice of beef, season with salt, and top with 1 teaspoon sunmuscat-port relish. Garnish with micro herbs.

Banana Coconut Bread

Preheat oven to 150°C and line a loaf pan with baking paper.

  1. Combine bananas, sultanas, vanilla, eggs, oil, cinnamon and baking powder in a food processer and process until combined.
  2. Add coconut meal and chia seeds, and stir with a wooden spoon.
  3. Pour into pan and sprinkle with flaked coconut. Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Date Cookies

  1. Pre-heat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Line oven trays with baking paper. Place oats, flour, dates and pepitas in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Remove to a mixing bowl.
  2. Place butter and honey in a small saucepan and heat until melted. Add to oat mixture with the banana and mix well. Spoon tablespoons of mixture onto prepared trays. Bake for 20 minutes or until just golden. Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Turmeric Chicken Curry

  1. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onion, ginger and garlic, cooking over low heat for 4-5 minutes until tender. Stir in spices and cook a further minute.

  2. Add coconut milk, chicken and almond meal to pan. Simmer over a low heat partially covered until chicken is cooked through.

  3. Serve curry sprinkled with flaked almonds, tomatoes and coriander. Accompany with rice and cucumber.

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