Christmas Cupcake Recipe

Name: Christmas Cupcake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: For the Cake; 4 ounces butter (softened); 8 ounces caster sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or extract); 8 ounces all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3 large eggs; 5 ounces mincemeat; 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated); Optional: 1 teaspoon brandy; For the Icing; 3 ounces confectioner's sugar (sifted); 1 tablespoon Cointreau (or preferred liqueur or brandy); 1 bottle food coloring (of your choice)

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 40 mins

Servings: 12 servings

Yield: 12 cupcakes

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Cupcakes are welcome at any time of year, but at Christmas, they are extra special. This recipe is easy to make and creates a light, deliciously fruity, spiced cake. Though the cupcake is great for the run up to Christmas, they also make a lovely tea time treat. And, you can also consider them as a great alternative to Christmas Pudding and, wrapped them in pretty paper, they make a lovely gift for Christmas.

This cupcake contains a large helping of mincemeat and some of the same spices found in a Christmas Cake—you can ring the changes to suit your taste. For adults, add a dash of brandy, which is often used in cakes and tarts at Christmas. Add a few nuts, switch the dried fruit to Craisins or dried figs. The alternatives are truly endless.

For the Cake

4 ounces butter, softened
8 ounces caster sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, or extract
8 ounces all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 large eggs
5 ounces mincemeat
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1 teaspoon brandy

For the Icing

3 ounces confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon Cointreau, or preferred liqueur or brandy
1 bottle food coloring, of your choice

Make the Cake

Gather the ingredients and preheat oven to 160 C/Fan 180 C/Gas 4.

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In a large roomy baking bowl, place the butter and sugar and beat together until light and fluffy.

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Add the vanilla bean paste or extract and stir well.

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One by one, add the eggs, beating well after each addition and keep mixing until they are fully incorporated.

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Sift together the flour and baking powder.

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Fold this mixture into the butter-sugar mix in three parts, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Take your time with this if you want light, fluffy cakes.

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Finally, gently stir in the mincemeat, spices, and brandy, if using.

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Place 12 cupcake liners into a deep 12-holed tin.

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Fill each case 2/3 full with the mixture. Place into the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cakes are golden brown and well risen.

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Cool on a wire rack before icing.

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Make the Icing

Prepare the icing by combining the Cointreau or liqueur and food coloring with the confectioner's sugar.

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Mix well to create a smooth, glossy icing. It should be a little runny, but not too runny that it slips off the cakes. If the mixture is too runny, add more confectioner's sugar.

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Drizzle over the top of each cupcake and serve.

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Dress up the icing with any further decorations you feel appropriate.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
297	Calories
10g	Fat
47g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories	297
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g	13%
Saturated Fat 6g	28%
Cholesterol 67mg	22%
Sodium 191mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 47g	17%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 1mg	4%
Calcium 61mg	5%
Iron 1mg	8%
Potassium 66mg	1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.