Christmas cupcakes

Christmas cupcakes

Ingredients 
 125g butter
 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
 1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind
 2 eggs
 500g dried mixed fruit
 60g (1/2 cup) chopped walnuts
 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh orange juice
 75g (1/2 cup) plain flour, sifted
 75g (1/2 cup) self-raising flour, sifted
 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
 250g Orchard White Icing
 10 drops green food colouring

 36 red Nestle Smarties or Mars M&M'S



Method

Step 1
Preheat oven to 170°C. Line twelve 80ml (1/3-cup) capacity muffin pans with cases. Use an electric beater to beat the butter, sugar and orange rind in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 2
Stir in the dried fruit, walnuts and orange juice. Stir in the combined flour and mixed spice. Spoon into the lined pans and smooth the surfaces.

Step 3
Bake for 30 minutes or until cupcakes are firm to touch. Set aside in the pans for 5 minutes to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4
Knead the icing following packet directions. Roll out on a sheet of non-stick baking paper until 3mm thick. Use a round 7cm pastry cutter to cut 12 discs from icing. Place on the cupcakes.

Step 5
Bring leftover icing together. Flatten slightly. Wearing gloves to avoid staining your hands, add food colouring and knead until well combined. Roll out on a sheet of non-stick baking paper until 3mm thick. Use a pastry cutter or a small sharp knife to cut 24 small diamond shapes from the icing. Arrange on cupcakes to make leaves. Roll remaining icing into small balls and use to attach Smarties or M&M'S to the cupcakes to make berries.