Date & Raisin Liquor Truffles
Preparation 15 Minutes
Cook SET TIME: 1 1/2 HRS Minutes
Serves 20 balls
Method
Place the dates, raisins and liqueur in a small food processor and process to combine.
Place the mixture in a bowl with the melted chocolate and mix to combine.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until just set.
Using a tablespoon, roll the mixture into balls.
Roll the truffles in the almonds to coat and place on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
Makes 20. Store in refrigerator and bring to room temperature when you serve.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups (345g) Angas Park pitted dates, chopped
1/2 cup (75g) Sunbeam raisins
1 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur
200g dark chocolate, melted
1 cup (80g) Sunbeam flaked almonds, chopped
Recipe Collection
Apple, Pear & Sunmuscat Filo Tart
Preheat oven to 200ºC (fan forced 180ºC). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Combine all nuts, sunmuscats, breadcrumbs and cinnamon, toss to combine then drizzle over the maple syrup and mix well. Reserve 1/3 cup of this mixture.
Lay 1 sheet of filo onto prepared tray. Brush evenly with melted butter, sprinkle over ¼ of the nut mixture. Brush a second sheet with butter and arrange on top, repeat with another ¼ of the nut mixture. Repeat twice more, so you have 4 layers of brushed filo and nut mixture, then brush remaining filo sheet with butter and place on top.
Arrange apple and pear slices on top, brush with remaining butter then sprinkle over reserved nut mixture and coconut sugar.
Bake for 25-30 mins until pastry is golden. Cut into slices and serve with rocket.
Fruit and Nut Easter Eggs
Combine mixed fruit, dates, 90g seed mix, 80g hazelnuts, 20g coconut, coconut oil, vanilla essence, coffee and salt in a food processor and blend until a smooth, thick paste is formed.
Divide into 25 equal portions and roll each into a ball, then shape into an egg shape.
Place remaining seed mix into a food processor and process to a coarse crumb. Transfer to a small bowl. Repeat with remaining hazelnuts. Pour remaining coconut into a small bowl.
To decorate, roll 6 eggs in coconut, 6 in seed mix crumb, 6 in hazelnut crumb and leave 7 plain. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving cold.
Mini Indulgent Puddings
Preheat oven to 150°C
- Combine fruit, jellied cranberry sauce, brandy and spices in a large bowl, cover and leave to stand overnight.
- Brush ten 1-cup pudding basins (ramekins) with melted butter and line base with baking paper.
- Mix eggs, butter, brown sugar and flours until well combined, then stir through fruit mixture. Spoon mixture into prepared basins.
- Cut a large circle of foil and baking paper and place over each pudding, foil side up. Secure tightly with kitchen string.
- Place pudding in a large saucepan and add enough boiling water to fill halfway up the sides. Cover and bring to the boil, reduce heat and cook for 11⁄4 hours, replenishing water when needed.
- Remove from water and store well wrapped until Christmas.
Cinnamon Scrolls
Transfer warm milk to the bowl of an electric mixer and sprinkle yeast on top. Add in sugar, egg, egg yolk and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
Stir in flour, salt, currants and sultanas until a dough begins to form.
Place dough hook on stand mixer and knead dough on medium speed for 8 minutes. Dough should form into a nice ball.
Transfer dough ball into an oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Allow dough to rise for approximately an hour, or until doubled in size.
After dough has doubled in size, transfer dough to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 35x22cm rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough.
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to sprinkle mixture over the buttered dough followed by the currants, then press into the butter.
Tightly roll dough up, starting from the shorter side and place seam-side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough as best you can.
Cut into 1 inch sections with a serrated knife. You should get 9 large pieces.
Place cinnamon scrolls in a greased 23x23cm baking pan or round 23cm cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Remove clingwrap and bake for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting.
Makes 9 cinnamon scrolls.
To make the frosting:
In the bowl using electric mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, light and fluffy.
Mini Fruit Pies
Preheat oven to 180oC
- Place all filling ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool.
- Place almond meal, flour, sugar into a food processor and process until combined. Add butter and egg mixture and process until a ball forms. Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll out pastry between two sheets of baking paper until 3mm thick. Use a round 6cm-diameter pastry cutter to cut 24 circles from the pastry. Line the base of 24-hole non-stick mini muffin pan (or use two 12-hole pans). Fill cases with fruit mince.
- Re-roll pastry and use a 4cm-diameter fluted pastry cutter to cut 24 circles for the lids. Brush the underside of lid lightly with water before gently pressing onto pie. Cut a small cross in the middle of each lid.
- Bake at 180oC for 15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool and dust with icing sugar before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Pumpkin Macadamia Salad
Preheat oven to 180ºC.
- Place pumpkin and onion in large baking dish, add 2 tablespoons of oil and mix to coat. Roast or grill until tender (approx 30 minutes), turning once. Cool, and then gently mix with rocket, macadamias and raisins.
- Combine lemon juice, honey, ginger and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in screw top jar. Shake and pour over salad. Gently toss to combine.