Mel's Mini Christmas Cakes

This is a great idea for anybody (like me) that is the only Christmas cake lover in the house! One batch makes 24 cakes, so there are plenty to share with lucky friends. They make lovely gifts too. Measuring out the ingredients takes a while but the baking and decorating are done in a jiffy and the house will smell amazing!

• 350g prunes, snipped into pieces

• 250g raisins

• 175g currants

• 175g dark brown sugar

• 175g butter

• 225g honey 

• 125 ml black tea

• Grated zest and juice of 2 oranges

• 1 tsp mixed spice, 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 3 beaten eggs

• 150g plain flour, 75g ground almonds

• ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp bicarb

• Marzipan & icing to decorate

1. Firstly, put on some festive music, then...

2. ...measure the first ten ingredients into a large pan. Bring the mixture to the boil, then simmer for ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool for 30 mins. Stir remaining ingredients in.

3. Spoon into 24 cupcake cases and bake for about 30 mins at 150c. They should be shiny on top but cooked through when tested.

4. Cut out marzipan and icing stars and stick to the top of cooled buns, with a little warm jam. Decorate as desired.

Download Mel’s Mini Christmas Cakes recipe here