There are always so many things that I want to bake/make/do before Christmas and no matter how early I start, I never have enough time to get everything done. I thought I was well ahead of the game this year by making my first batch of Pierniczki – Polish Spiced Cookies on 9th November. It turns out I wasn’t ahead at all and I still didn’t start things early enough! Those presents will get bought and wrapped soon…
One of the things that was on my ‘to bake’ list were some very cute Christmas Pudding-type cupcakes I’d seen on the BBC Good Food website last Christmas. Despite the fact that these were very rushed and I had to call in the re-inforcements in the form of my friend Monika to help me with the holly leaves, I did make them and that made me very pleased. They were actually for a fundraising event last Saturday and since they were so cute, I thought I would send them over to the gorgeous English Mum for her Big Christmas Bake Off event too.
I only really slightly adapted the recipe so I won’t reproduce it. In fact, you could use any chocolate cupcake recipe you’re happy with. I added a teaspoon of peppermint essence to mine to give them an extra Christmas boost and I baked the cupcakes in their cases rather than using a silicone tray, keeping them the right way up. If you don’t have time to make the little holly leaves and berries that we made, I’ve seen a few packets of ready-made decorations at the supermarket that would make a fine alternative. You can still find their Christmas Pud Cupcake recipe on BBC Good Food, the original appeared in the magazine in 2009.
Note: if your cupcake wrappers are a bit thin, use two (double line them) that way, they will look better – see cupcake on the bottom left of the cake stand as an example!
I still have at least a million posts that I want to write before Christmas, so I will keep posting! I do promise to post a round-up of all the wonderful recipes that came flooding in for Simple and in Season November/December. I’ll be opening a new round in January.
Camera Christmas Deals 2012 says
I have to say this post was certainly informationrmative and contains useful content for enthusiastic visitors. I will definitely bookmark this site for future reference and further viewing. cheers a bunch for sharing this with us!
Becky says
Wow beautiful, Ren! Thanks for your entry (and I’m loving the stand too) x
Ren says
Thank you for hosting, I’m sure there will be many fab entries! x
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
These look so festive and I actually have a similar cake stand to yours which I love. Should display my mince pies on it! Good idea to add peppermint essence, and thanks for the tip about double lining the cupcakes xx
Ren says
Thank you Laura. The stand could take a few mini-mince pies to finish it off nicely! Love adding peppermint to chocolate, especially at Christmas. Peppermint Hot Choc is good too 🙂
Sarah says
These look wonderful and I love your stand, they look very glamorous. Definitely good idea to double line the cases, very few cases look any good after baking unless you do this!
Ren says
Thanks Sarah, it’s just a plain stand from John Lewis but it has its uses! Definitely into double lining now, they do look better. I heard you could get some Swedish baking cases that hold their colour better, will have to investigate.
bakingaddict says
These look delicious and so cute! I’ll bookmark it for next year as like you I’m running out of time and don’t think I’ll have time to make them this year. Is there a simple and season for December? I couldn’t see the linky.
Ren says
Thank you, yes, I’m at the stage of bookmarking too, these were bookmarked from last year! Simple and in Season will be back in January. I’m just doing a round-up and winner announcement for Nov/Dec
What Kate Baked says
Ohhhh! They certainly won’t hang around very long with me neither- I reckon the three of us will be fighting over these! Thank you ever so much for entering Tea Time Treats Ren, with such festive and pretty cupcakes!
Ren says
Thanks Kate, there is probably more on the way from me. Have made a Polish Baked Cheesecake too this week!
Mark Willis says
They look lovely. They wouldn’t hang around very long in my house!
Ren says
Thanks Mark. They didn’t hang around for very long at the event!