Walnut Sultana Zucchini Carrot Cake
Preparation 15 Minutes
Cook 1 HOUR 10 MIN Minutes
Serves 12
Method
Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan). Grease and line base and sides of two x 22.5cm (9”) round baking tins.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with beater attachment, combine zucchini, carrot, flour, sugar, 50g of walnuts, sultanas and spices. Mix on low until just combined.
Whisk together oil and eggs then add to the zucchini mixture and beat on low until just combined. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared tins, smoothing the surfaces. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in tins for an hour, then invert onto a baking rack to cool completely.
To make the icing, combine butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk until smooth. Add sifted icing sugar and whisk until smooth and fluffy.
To decorate, spread half the icing on top of one cake. Arrange the second cake on top and spread with remaining icing. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts to decorate.
Ingredients
120g grated zucchini
80g grated carrot
300g self raising flour
330g dark brown sugar
50g Sunbeam Walnuts, roughly chopped, plus extra to decorate
35g Sunbeam Sultanas
3 tsp mixed spice
½ tsp ground ginger
250ml neutral flavour oil (we used grapeseed oil)
4 eggs
ICING
100g butter, softened to room temperature
500g cream cheese, softened to room temperature
300g icing sugar, sifted
Recipe Collection
Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge
- Line a 20cm x 20cm slice tin. Combine condensed milk and butter in a saucepan until heated through and butter has melted. Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate. Stirring until smooth.
- Add cherries to chocolate mixture and mix well. Pour into prepared pan and tap on the bench gently so the surface is smooth. Sprinkle with hazelnuts and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm.
- For serving, remove from pan and trim the edges. Cut into squares and package up to give as gifts.
Panforte
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line the base and sides of a 20cm round cake pan.
- Place sugar, honey and chocolate in a large saucepan and gently heat until chocolate is melted. Stir in the raisins, figs, cherries, cranberries and nuts. Mix well.
- Add flour, cocoa and spices to mixture and working quickly mix it together until all combined. You may need to wear a thick rubber glove. Press mixture into prepared pan and bake for 13-15 minutes. Set aside to cool before removing from pan to cool completely.
Christmas Lava Puddings
Preheat oven to 150ºC (140ºC fan). Lightly grease 8 holes of two Texas (jumbo) muffin tins.
- Combine all ingredients (except white chocolate) in a bowl. Mix well.
- Spoon half the mixture into the tins. Push two pieces of white chocolate into the centre of the mixture then divide the remaining mixture between each tin.
- Bake for 20-22 mins until cooked on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside.
- Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries, if using.If not serving immediately, refrigerate and microwave for 60 seconds immediately before serving.
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.
Nutty Barramundi with Coconut Greens
- Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
- Place macadamia nuts, almonds, ginger and rind in a food processor; pulse until mixture forms a chunky paste.
- Place fillets on an oven tray; season with salt and pepper.
- Press nut mixture evenly on each fillet.
- Bake fish for 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- Meanwhile, place sugar snap peas and beans in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain well; refresh under cold running water.
- Combine all coconut ingredients in a small jar. Shake.
- Serve fillets topped with micro herbs and dressing, sugar snap peas and beans.
Hot Cross Cookies
- 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.
