Christmas Cupcakes

These cupcakes are baked in muffin cases so that they are larger than the usual cupcakes. Once decorated, they look like miniature Christmas cakes. The addition of ground almonds gives a firm texture and adds a richness suitable for the occasion.

Makes 16 cupcakes

9 tbsp butter, softened

1 cup superfine sugar
4-6 drops almond extract 

4 eggs, lightly beaten

generous 1 cup self-rising white flour
1¾ cups ground almonds

Topping

1 lb/450 g white ready-to-roll fondant frosting

2 oz/55 g green read-to-roll colored fondant frosting
1 oz/25 g red read-to-roll colored fondant frosting

confectioners' sugar, for dusting

* Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Put 16 paper muffin cases in a muffin pan.

* Put the butter, sugar and almond extract in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition. Add the flour and, using a large metal spoon, fold it into the mixture, then fold in the ground almonds. Spoon the batter into the paper cases to half-fill them.

* Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well risen, golden brown, and firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

* When the cakes are cold, knead the white frosting until pliable, then roll out on a counter lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar. Using a 2¾-inch/7-cm plain round cutter, cut out 16 circles, re-rolling the frosting as necessary. Place a circle on top of each cupcake. 

* Roll out the green frosting on a counter lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar. Using the palm of your hand, rub confectioners' sugar into the frosting to prevent it from spotting. Using a holly leaf-shaped cutter, cut out 32 leaves, re-rolling the frosting as necessary. Brush each leaf with a little cooled boiled water and place 2 leaves on top of each cake. Roll the red frosting between the palms of your hands to form 48 berries and place in the center of the leaves.

 

side one:
01. Church Bells at Christmas Time - James Last
02. Snow Flakes - The Mexicali Brass
03. Jingle Bells - Celia Cruz
04. Pueblito de Belem - Juan Torres
05. Little Drummer Boy - Lena Horne
06. Dasher With the Light Upon His Tail - Kitty Wells
07. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - The Original Five Blind Boys
08. Merry Merry Gentlemen - Ralph Flanagan
09. Angels We Have Heard on High - Raymond Lefevre & His Orchestra
10. The Twelve Days of Christmas—In Hawaii - Sol Kamahele  
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side two:
01. Leise, Rieselt Der Schnee (The Snow Falls Gently) - Schöneberger Sängerknaben
02. The Holly and the Ivy - Joseph Byrd
03. (There's No Place Like) Home For the Holidays - Lorne Greene
04. Silver Bells - Vic Jordan
05. Aires Navideños - Pedro Padilla y su Conjunto w/ Jose Ortiz
06. We Three Kings - Paul Mickelson
07. African Carol - Marais and Miranda
08. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jimmy Boyd
09. Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis
10. Frosty the Snowman - The Ronettes
11. O Holy Night - Arthur Lyman
12. Christmas Dream - Ferlin Husky   
[ listen ]