There was more than a little cloud of icing sugar in my kitchen this weekend as I busily baked and decorated cakes for the school Christmas fair. Luckily, I’d already had a warm-up, creating some Christmas recipes for the Good Food Channel earlier in November, which provided me with the perfect template for the cake stall and a spot of Christmas baking.
If you’re looking for a festive twist on Christmas cupcakes, then you might enjoy my Mince Pie Cupcakes – made with a vanilla sponge, mincemeat and a luxurious brandy butter icing. You can decorate them with sprinkles, coloured sugar or some retro-picks, as seen here.
Mince Pie Cupcakes for the Good Food Channel – {Recipe here}
A tiny bit more of a challenge, but not much, are these Profiterole Cupcakes. If you’re not quite up for a ‘Bake Off’ style choux pastry challenge – you could cheat by leaving out the choux pastry step and buying some profiteroles to go on the top. Although I have to say, even though I’ve only made choux pastry once before, it is much easier than you might think, so I’d say have a go at the whole recipe.
Profiterole Cupcakes for the Good Food Channel – {Recipe here}
Finally, if you are up for a spot of Christmas baking and are looking for a Christmas showstopper, this White Chocolate Malteser Cake is actually a simple sponge cake, covered in white chocolate butter cream and topped with white chocolate Maltesers, which makes an impressive centrepiece or star prize for the Christmas raffle! For a little twist, you can also spread a little raspberry jam or lemon curd in between the layers before icing. Then all you need to do is have fun eating the little Malteser balls as they roll off!
White Chocolate Malteser Cake for the GoodFood Channel – {Recipe here}
Happy Baking!
Have you come across any festive cupcakes yet this year worth bookmarking? Let me know in the comments box below.
More Festive Ideas –
A Nut-Free Christmas Pudding and Nut-Free Mince Pies for the Good Food Channel
Pierniczki – Polish Spiced Christmas Cookies
Christmas Spiced Cranberry and Plum Chutney
Raspberry and White Chocolate Traybake by Sarah at Maison Cupcake
Gingerbread Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting by A Spoonful of Sugar
Ren Behan is a freelance contributor to the Good Food Channel – styling, photos and recipes author’s own and reflect commissioned content.
npr says
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a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we communicate?
Andrea Mynard says
Gorgeous festive baking! I’ve been watching the junior bake-off with Ruby, she’s a complete fan and I think would love to tackle that wonderful malteser cake with me.
Ren Behan says
Yes my little boy enjoys the bake off, too – there are some seriously talented kids on there. The Malteser cake is very do-able!
Sally - My Custard Pie says
You’ve given me lots of ideas here Ren
Ren Behan says
Thank you Sally, hope you are looking forward to gingerbread season!
Katie says
Some gorgeous festive baking with a freshly modern appeal. I’m def going to try the mince pie cupcakes, and the Malteser cake looks sumptuous!!! Choux pastry vexes me though, so I’ll leave that one alone 😉
Ren Behan says
Thank you Katie! You can cheat and use shop-bought profiteroles, too 🙂
Cristina says
I wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit in me, but this post definitely did the job! The profiterole cupcakes look beautiful and delicious 🙂
Ren Behan says
Ah that’s great news Cristina, hope it continues! Thanks for stopping by.
Ren Behan says
Thank you Katie