Sunbeam Spiced Christmas Cake
Preparation 15 MINS + Overnight soaking
Cook 2 1/2 HOURS
Serves 20
Method
In a large bowl, combine mixed fruit, cherries, nuts, apple, golden syrup and liquor. Mix well, cover and allow to stand overnight (or up to 24 hours for amazing flavour).
Preheat oven to 150ºC (130ºC fan forced). Very generously grease the bundt tin, ensuring butter is in all creases.
Add sugar and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a beater attachment. Beat until fluffy and pale. With the motor running, add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated before adding the next.
Add flour and spices, beat on low until just combined. Add orange zest and soaked fruit mixture and beat until just combined.
In a small bowl mix together orange juice and bicarbonate of soda, add to the cake batter and beat until just incorporated.
Spoon batter into the prepared bundt tin, using a spatula to press mixture into any crevices and flatten the surface.
Bake for 2 ¼ to 2 ½ hours or until the cake springs back when gently pressed in the centre. Allow cake to cool in the tin for an hour then invert onto a baking rack to remove and allow to cool completely.
Ingredients
1kg Sunbeam Mixed Fruit
150g Sunbeam Glacé Cherries
70g Sunbeam Walnuts
70g Sunbeam Blanched Almonds, roughly chopped
1 apple, grated (peeled and core removed)
3 tbsp golden syrup
250ml Cointreau or brandy
275g brown sugar
250g butter, softened to room temperature, plus extra to grease tin
4 eggs
450g plain flour
2 tsp mixed spice
1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
60ml orange juice
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Recipe Collection
Macadamia Nut Cookies
Preheat oven to 180℃ and line a few large baking trays with baking paper
Add the butter and sugars to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix for 3-4 minutes until well combined and whipped. Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together, then slowly add to the butter mixture until combined.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix on low until you form a dough. Stir in the white chocolate and macadamias. Then gently fold in the raspberries, careful not to overmix so the raspberries melt and mix through the whole dough.
Scoop out the dough into balls and place onto the prepared baking sheets, keeping cookies 5cm apart to allow for spreading. Place into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are browned.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool and set slightly before transferring to a wire rack.
White Christmas Tree Bites
- Line the inside of 12 ice-cream cones with baking paper, using a stapler or sticky tape to secure paper.
- Place white chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (ensuring bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water) and stir until the chocolate has melted and is smooth. Remove from heat.
- Allow to cool then add all the other ingredients and stir to coat. Spoon into the prepared lined cones Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before serving.
Spiced Currant Biscuits
- Sift the flour and spices into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric beaters until thick and pale, then add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold ii the flour mixture slowly, then stir in currants and lemon zest. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Roll out dough 4-5mm thick then cut with a round biscuit cutter and place on the trays. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling the trimmings.
- Sprinkle biscuits with extra sugar. Bake for 10 minutes until firm to touch but still pale. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Chocolate Fudge Cookies
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Place chocolate in a microwave proof container and cook in 30 second increments until melted and smooth, whilst stirring regularly. Allow to cool.
- Place butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until pale and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, until well incorporated. Fold in melted chocolate.
- Fold in flour and almond meal. Refrigerate cookie dough, covered for at least 1 hour.
- Roll chilled dough into 48 small balls and press down lightly onto lined oven trays. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on tray before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- For ganache, place chocolate and cream in a microwave proof bowl and cook in 15 second increments until melted and smooth, whilst stirring regularly. Allow to cool slightly before using ganache to join cookies together, to make 24.
Sunbeam White Christmas
Line a 30cm x 20cm (base) baking pan with baking paper.
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (don’t let bowl touch water).
Fold in the remaining ingredients.
Pour mixture into the prepared pan, pressing down with a large metal spoon.
Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set.
To Serve:
Turn slice onto a chopping board. Using a knife that has been dipped in hot water, cut into squares.
Easter Rocky Road
Place almonds in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 3-4 mins, stopping every 30 seconds to stir, until nuts are lightly toasted.
Grease a 20cm square cake pan and line the base and sides with baking paper.
In a large bowl combine almonds, raisins, marshmallows, cherries, coconut and 200g of the Easter eggs; toss to combine.
Place chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and microwave on medium for 2 mins. Stir every 30 seconds or until melted. Pour 1/4 of the chocolate into the base of the prepared pan; sprinkle the nut and marshmallow mixture over the top. Pour remaining chocolate evenly over the top. Tap pan gently to remove any air bubbles from the chocolate, then sprinkle the top with extra almonds, raisins, coconut flakes and remaining 100g Easter eggs. Refrigerate until set then cut the square into quarters and each square into half to form 8 rectangular pieces.
