There's a chill in the air and the decorations are going up. It's the time of year for cosy log fires, mulled wine, time for friends and family, an abundance of decorations and indulgent food. Perhaps you've got the neighbours coming over for a pre-Christmas drink? Or you are hosting your family for dinner over Christmas? This Christmas Pudding biscuit recipe is the perfect treat that can be pre-prepared and frozen a month in advance - leaving you to focus on wrapping the gifts and having fun with family.
And what could be prettier and more festive at Christmas than a plate of tiny puddings?
This recipe makes at least 24 little Christmas puddings and I've donated it to Dreams Come True's Christmas Appeal. This year, the children's charity is aiming to raise enough funds to make 12 dreams come true, one for every day of Christmas. You can read more here and donate here or by texting TRUE12 £5 to 70070.
So turn on the Christmas tunes and let's get baking.
Ingredients
•25g (0.9 oz) currants
•25g (0.9 oz) mixed peel
•25g (0.9 oz) raisins
•2 tsp brandy
•100g (3.5 oz) unsalted butter, softened
•65g (2.3 oz) soft light brown sugar
•0.5 tsp vanilla extract
•1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
•1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
•2 tsp treacle
•1 tsp ground cinnamon
•1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
•25g (0.9 oz) flaked almonds, toasted
•200g (7.1 oz) self-raising flour, sifted
•25g (0.9 oz) ground almonds
•1 cup demerara sugar
•100g (3.5 oz) white chocolate
•1 cup holly sprigs made from icing, or chopped glace cherries
Details
•Cuisine: English
•Recipe Type: Cake
•Difficulty: Easy
•Preparation Time: 10 mins
•Cooking Time: 15 mins
•Serves: 12
Step-by-step
1.Put the currants, mixed peel and raisins in a bowl with the brandy. Stir, cover with cling film and put in the fridge to steep for anything from 1 hour to a week. When you're ready to use it, strain off any remaining liquid, then finely chop the fruit or whizz in a food processor.
2.Preheat the oven to 200ºC/Mark 6 and line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
3.Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla and zests.Warm the treacle in the microwave for 10 seconds on High and add to the butter mixture along with the spices. Mix well to combine.
4.Roughly crush the toasted almonds with your hands and add to the butter mixture along with the flour, ground almonds and chopped fruit. Mix well to combine.
5.Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls with your hands, then roll each ball in the demerara sugar and place on the prepared trays, spacing them at least 2 cm apart. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the biscuits look dry and slightly cracked on the surface. Set aside to cool on their trays for about 5 minutes, then use a palette knife to transfer them to a wire rack.
6.While the biscuits are cooling, melt the chocolate, stirring regularly. Slide a sheet of greaseproof paper under the rack and spoon about a teaspoonful of chocolate onto each of the biscuits, letting it run down the sides. Allow it to set a little, but while it is still sticky, press some pretty decorations onto the top. I like to use holly sprigs made from sugar florist paste, Christmas sprinkles or finely chopped glacé cherries. Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving.
Miranda Gore Browne is an ambassador for children's charity Dreams Come True.
For more baking ideas, look no further than her book 'Biscuit' [Ebury, £14.99] or visit: mirandagorebrowne.co.uk