Recipe - Mini Christmas Cakes

These are just the most perfect little cakes the world ever did see. I made these to give to my friends at our dinner party as presents and are perfect if you are looking for a homemade gift (the recipe below makes 20).

Ingredients

1kg mixed fruits
zest and juice of 1 orange
zest and juice of 1 lemon
150ml brandy
250g butter
200g light brown sugar
175g plain flour
4 eggs
500g pack of marzipan
500g pack of white icing
Apricot jam

Method to the Madness 

Put the dried fruit, alcohol, butter, zests and juice and sugar in a large pan. Bring the mixture to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Once combined tip the fruit mixture into a large bowl and leave to cool for 30 mins. Heat oven to 160C, grease your ramekins and line the bottom of each one with a circle of greaseproof paper.

Once the mixture has cooled add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir until all folded in. Divide your mixture between the ramekins until all used up. You may have to do this in batches.

They will need about 30 minutes in the oven and when they are done run a knife around the outside to loosen and tip out, setting aside to cool.

Whilst they are cooling cut out the marzipan circles and the icing circles to top the cakes.

Heat the apricot jam with a little bit of water. Spread apricot jam on a marzipan circle before pressing on top of the cake, repeat. Wet the marzipan with a little water before placing the icing on top and gently smoothing it over the sides.

Tie the cakes with ribbon for an extra Christmassy touch!

C x