These delicious little cakes showcase some wonderful Christmas spices: Mixed Spice, Nutmeg and Cinnamon. Make them look even more Christmassy by using patty pans in Christmas colours and topping with a glace cherry.
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 12
Ingredients:
- 2 cups SR flour, sifted
- 1 tsp Mixed Spice
- 1 tsp Nutmeg Ground
- ¾ cup castor sugar
- 1/4 cup (65ml) apple juice
- ½ cup (125ml) milk
- 125g butter, melted
- 2 eggs
Decoration:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- boiling water
- 1 tsp Cinnamon Ground
- 12 glace cherries
Method:
1. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with patty pan cases. Preheat oven to 200oC.
2. Sift together flour, Mixed Spice, Nutmeg and castor sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. Mix the apple juice, milk, butter and eggs and pour into the dry mix. Using a metal spoon, stir gently to combine.
3. Spoon mix carefully into the patty pan cases, then place in preheated oven. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire cake rack.
4. When cold, combine icing sugar with just enough boiling water to make a thick paste, and ice the top of each cake carefully. Sprinkle each with a little cinnamon, then top with a glace cherry. If you can find it, serve with sprigs of holly or fresh apple leaf but remove before eating.
This recipe was kindly shared with us by Dianne Ward. Dianne is a mother of two young children, freelance writer and founder of food blog www.thesassycook.com that champions being fast and fabulous in the kitchen. Check out www.thesassycook.com for more delicious recipes and clever cooking tips.
