Sweet Treats

1. Grease the base and sides of a 1.5L pudding basin. Combine prunes, raisins, sultanas and brandy in a microwave proof bowl and cook for 2 minutes. Stir well and set aside.
2. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until smooth and pale. Add eggs one at a time until well incorporated. Fold in the flour, breadcrumbs, cocoa, chocolate and mixed spice, followed by the fruit mixture. Mix until well combined.
3. Pour batter into prepared pudding basin and cover (if no lid, use a couple of layers of baking paper and secure with string or a large elastic band. Then cover with a layer of foil, securing with a large elastic band. Place into a large pot with a small saucepan in the base. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover with a lid and simmer for 3 hours. Top up water as required.
4. Remove from pot and either serve immediately, or leave in the basin and refrigerate until required.
5. For butterscotch sauce, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, and gently bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
6. For mascarpone cream, fold mixed spice into mascarpone and set aside until required.
7. For serving, place upturned pudding onto a serving plate and dollop with mascarpone and drizzle with butterscotch sauce. Decorate with seasonal fruits and toasted nuts.

1. Pre-heat oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced). Cut plums in half and remove stone. Cut each half into thirds and toss with the sugar and juice. Arrange in the base of a shallow baking dish.
2. Combine icing sugar and almond meal in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add to the almond mix with the butter and vanilla, Mix until well combined and pour over the plums. Bake for 35 minutes, until mixture is golden and cooked.

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Trim cauliflower, cut into florets and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Combine seeds and spices with the oil and pour over cauliflower. Mix well with your hands to ensure even coating. Tip into a single layer on a baking tray and cook for 20 minutes or until golden and tender. Set aside to cool.
3. Whisk together the oil, vinegar and maple. Place cauliflower onto a serving platter and toss gently with the spinach leaves. Sprinkle with feta and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly grease 12 x ⅓ cup capacity muffin pans.
2. Place fruit and brandy in a microwave proof dish and cook on medium heat for 30 seconds. Set aside to cool.
3. Sift icing sugar into a large mixing bowl and stir in the almond meal and flour.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Mix in the butter and add to the icing sugar mixture. Stirring until well combined.
5. Pour mixture between prepared moulds and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans and cool completely on a cooling rack.
6. For icing, combine icing sugar and water mixing until smooth. Allow to sit until desired consistency is achieved. Spoon over each cake and finish with lemon rind and raspberries.
   

• Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line cookie trays with baking paper.
• Beat butter, vanilla, sugars and egg in a small bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in sifted flour and bicarb soda, in two batches. Stir in fruit, nuts & chocolate.
• Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls; place 5cm apart on trays.
• Bake cookies 15 minutes or until golden; cool on trays.
• Once cookies are cooled, pipe cross with melted white chocolate.

Notes: Each cookie weighed 50g before cooking to make 24. Keep a few extra currants and choc chips to add to cookies when removed from oven to decorate top.