Hot Cross Muffins
Preparation 10 Minutes
Cook 20 Minutes
Serves 15
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease and line a 12 hole muffin pan. Sift flour, mixed spice and cinnamon into a large Combine the egg, milk and butter in a jug. Pour into a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
- Divide the mixture among the prepared pans and smooth the surfaces. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
- Place the icing sugar in a small bowl. Gradually stir in water to make a thick icing. Pipe a cross onto each muffin and set aside until the icing is set.
Ingredients
2 cups self-raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup Sunbeam Sultanas
1/2 cup Sunbeam Mixed Fruit
2 eggs, lightly whisked
3/4 cup milk
100g unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup icing sugar mixture
2 teaspoons water
Recipe Collection
Crispy Chocolate Puddings
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Fruit Cake Trifle
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line the base and sides of a 20cm round cake tin. Place mixed fruit and juice in a saucepan and gently heat through. Set aside to cool.
- Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until creamy and pale. Add eggs one at a time until well combined. Add flour, almond meal, cinnamon and baking powder. Continue mixing until batter is smooth. Stir in fruit mixture until well combined. Pour into prepared tin and smooth the surface. Sprinkle with slivered almonds and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and an inserted skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
- For assembly, whip the cream and sugar to firm peaks. Set aside ¼ of the cream for decoration. Stir the custard into remaining cream until well combined. Slice cake horizontally into 3 even discs. You may need to trim the edges slightly to fit your serving bowl.
- Press one round of cake into the base of a 20cm serving bowl. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the brandy. Press half of the strawberries around the edge of the bowl and cover with half of the custard mixture. Place a second round of cake on top of custard and sprinkle with another tablespoon of brandy. Repeat process with strawberries and remaining custard. Finish with final round of cake and remaining brandy. Cover and allow to sit for at least 4 hours or overnight. For serving, top with the cream that was set aside and decorate with additional strawberries and cherries.
Couscous Dried Fruit Salad
Rinse the couscous under cold, running water. Add to a saucepan with 750ml water, bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 mins or until soft. Drain and rinse under running water and set aside to cool completely.
Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice, season and pour over the cooled couscous. Toss to coat.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon into a presentation bowl to serve.
This salad can be served cold or at room temperature.
Moghrabieh can be substituted for Israeli (pearl) couscous. Simply follow the cooking instructions on the packet as they can vary.

Rum and Raisin Fudge
Lightly grease and line base and sides of a 20cm square baking tin.
Combine raisins and rum in a small bowl and allow to soak for 10 mins.
In a medium saucepan combine sweetened condensed milk, butter, sugar and golden syrup and constantly stir over a low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir constantly for about 8-10 mins until the temperature reaches between 113-115ºC.*
Remove pan from heat, add chocolate melts and soaked raisins and stir to combine. Transfer to prepared tin using a spatula to smooth the surface then allow to cool at room temperature for 5-6 hours until firm.
Cut into 5cm long slices then cut each slice into 8 rectangles.
If you don’t own a candy thermometer, you can also check if the fudge is ready by taking a small amount and dropping it into a glass of cold water. When the mixture sets into a soft ball that doesn’t stick to your fingers when gently pinched, the fudge is ready. This is referred to as “soft ball” stage.
Sultana & Date Scones
Rainbow Couscous & Sultana Salad
In a small saucepan, bring water and salt just to the boil. Add couscous and stir once. Cover pan, remove from heat and set aside 10 mins, until water is absorbed.
Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.
Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a large bowl. Add sultanas, chickpeas, veggies, herbs, and onions, and tosswell.
Drizzle salad with half of the dressing and toss again. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired. Sprinkle salad withwalnuts and feta. Serve with remaining dressing.
Tips
- Store salad in a covered container in the fridge, for up to three days.
- Couscous can be substituted with cooked and cooled quinoa, if preferred