Christmas Lava Puddings

Ricotta & Apricot Loaf with Thyme

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line the base and sides of a 10 x 20cm loaf pan.
2. Combine butter, eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk well. Add flour and mix until just combined.
3. Fold in the ricotta, apricots and thyme. Spoon into prepared pan and sprinkle the top with almonds and thyme. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan.

Pine nut, Sultana & Maple Tart

Place the maple syrup, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir to combine them. Add the butter, place the saucepan over med-high heat, and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl; add the sultanas & allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream, followed by the egg and egg yolk. 

Preheat the oven to 180 Degrees. 

Place the tart shell on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Distribute the pine nuts evenly over the bottom of the tart shell and pour the custard into the shell until it reaches the top of the crust. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until both the crust and the filling have turned light golden brown and the custard is set but still jiggly.  

Serve the tart while still slightly warm, or cool it and serve at room temperature. Leftovers will keep, wrapped in plastic, for a few days in the refrigerator.

Crispy Chocolate Puddings

1. Lightly oil 12 x ⅓ cup capacity muffin pans. Combine chocolate and butter in a microwave proof bowl and heat on medium setting for 1 minute, stir well. Return to microwave in 10 second bursts if required to continue melting.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rice bubbles, sultanas, walnuts and coconut. Mix well. Add melted chocolate and stir until all ingredients are well coated in chocolate. Spoon between prepared muffin pans, pressing mixture in firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Slide a small spatula down the side of each muffin cup to remove the chocolate pudding. Turn upside down and spoon on some melted chocolate to resemble custard. Decorate with sprinkles.

Chocolate Raisin Brownies

Chutney for Glazed Ham

Put the vinegar and sugar in a large pan and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

Put the remaining ingredients in the pan and bubble on high for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

The chutney is ready when the mixture looks sticky and thick, and a wooden spoon leaves a brief trail on the bottom of the pan.

Leave to cool, then pour into sterilised jars

Caramel Walnut Brioche Pudding

Butter both sides of sliced Brioche and layer in greased pan (mine is 8” x 11”).

2.     Sprinkle dried Mixed fruit and Walnuts evenly over bread.

3.     Mix eggs, sugar and vanilla paste until sugar is dissolved,then mix together with Cream and Milk.

4.     Pour egg mix over Brioche and let soak whilst you make your caramel.

5.     In heavy based pan add butter, golden syrup and condensed milk, stir until all melted on low heat. This can then be spooned over Brioche into all gaps, finish by sprinkling more Walnuts and Cinnamon.

6.     Place in oven 165’c fan forced for 35-45 minutes, or until centre is set.

7.     Enjoy

# You may like to soak Mixed Fruit in a little Brandy!