Have you ever baked something because you felt frustrated or anxious or even angry? Have you ever baked those emotions out of your head? I do. There’s something really therapeutic about baking, something calming about the whole process. These Christmas Mincemeat Cupcakes were definitely me exorcising my intense frustration at my compute breaking down. And maybe because of that they obliged me by turning out simply gorgeous – fluffy, dreamy, Christmassy goodness.
I have mentioned in a previous post that I am not a huge fan of mince pies – I usually find them too sweet. But I do love baking with mincemeat – preferably the homemade vegetarian variety. I haven’t made any this year but my lovely neighbours gifted me a jar of their homemade mincemeat which contains prunes and cherries among the usual ingredients (no actual meat for those not in the UK). I used some in the cupcakes but if you don’t like mincemeat or can’t find any you can either leave it out or replace it with equal quantities raisins or mixed dried fruit soaked in brandy or rum.
Another well-timed gift that landed on my door as I was frosting these babies was an apron and tea towel from Brainbox Candy – the apron declaring “I bake therefore I am” (so true). But it is the tea towel that really made me smile – it is really far too good to use for drying dishes! I am thinking of framing it and putting it up in the new kitchen. Brainbox Candy are offering the same apron and tea towel to a lucky Supergolden Bakes reader – scroll down to see how you can win them.
For the cupcakes
Makes 12 large cupcakes
165g | 5.8oz plain flour (or plain with a couple tbsp wholegrain)
165g | 5.8oz dark brown sugar
40g | 1.4oz ground almonds
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
100g | 3.5oz unsalted butter, cold and cubed
2 large eggs
zest of 1 orange
100ml | 3.5 fl oz whole milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice
4 tbsp mincemeat – or a little more, to taste
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake cases.
- Sift all the dry ingredients and add them to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Add the cubed butter and pulse or mix until the mixture resembles sand.
- Add the eggs and mix them in. Add the milk and zest and pulse or mix until you have an evenly mixed batter. You may want to scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl to make sure it is thoroughly mixed.
- Fold the mincemeat into the batter and divide between the cupcake cases filling 3/4 of the way.
- Bake for 23-25 minutes then cool completely before frosting.
For the whipped mascarpone frosting
200g | 7oz mascarpone cheese (can use full-fat cream cheese)
150g | 5.3oz icing (powdered) sugar
1 tbsp vanilla paste
200g | 7oz double cream, whipped to soft peaks
Method
- First, whip the double cream and icing sugar till you have soft peaks. Transfer to another bowl.
- Place the mascarpone and vanilla paste in the bowl of your stand mixer and whip until soft and fluffy. Slowly add the whipped cream and whip together. You can also fold the whipped cream in by hand once the mascarpone is loose enough.
- Put the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe the frosting over the cupcakes. Decorate with edible stars or any decorations you like.
Notes: You can eat these without the frosting and call them muffins if you prefer! They keep really well for 2-3 days at room temperature. If you add frosting, them keep them in the fridge.
Win a Brainbox Candy apron and tea towel
Terms and conditions
> Giveaway open to UK residents over the age of 18 only.
> Four winners will receive a Brainbox Candy apron and tea towel.
> Giveaway open to UK residents over the age of 18 only.
> Four winners will receive a Brainbox Candy apron and tea towel.
> The giveaway ends on the 18th of December.
> Please comment on this blogpost before proceeding with other entry options.
> Please comment on this blogpost before proceeding with other entry options.
> Entries using an automated process or software to create bulk entries will be disqualified.
> The winner will be randomly selected, announced in the Gleam giveaway box and contacted via their provided e-mail address shortly afterwards. Please claim your prize within 4 days of being notified.
> Check out my other giveaways!
Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com – See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/brainbox-candy-apron-and-tea-towel#sthash.qwAeyvWX.dpuf
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Lemon Mascarpone Scones
Anonymous says
These cupcakes looks awesome! But I am really wondering if it is meat in them?
I love the colors and the sharpness at your photos.
Lucy Parissi says
It's a fair question… Mincemeat = mince pie filling which is made with dried fruit, nuts and spices. These cupcakes are meat-free : ) If you wanted to skip the mincemeat you could soak a handful of raisins and mixed peel in a little hot tea until softened and then use that instead.
Steph @MisplacedBrit says
And here you go again!! …How on earth are you not the UKs TOP Sweet Treat blogger?! These look so delicious and I love the twist… I'm going to have to try these out when I'm at my parents over Christmas 🙂
Carla H says
These look amazing!
Sara JaneG says
these look lush
Kazzy D says
Never done mascarpone frosting before, thanks for the tips!
Mariel says
As a newie to London, I've just discovered mince pie and all things mince! I'm excited to find a new recipe to try out with mincemeat.
Felicity Smith says
very very upmarket looking. Love the style
katie skeoch says
Oh these look fabulous!! Will have to try the recipe out
Hannah Hossack-lodge says
These look lush! I love mincemeat, I will happily eat it out of the jar by the spoonful 🙂
marga79 says
These sound fab for the family members who don't like mince pies (?!)
Jennie // scarletscorchdroppers says
I totally understand what you mean about baking away your emotions. I'm a real stress baker. If its been a bad day, the bowls will come out and i'll raid the cupboards to find ingredients to throw together in a bake. These are gorgeous cupcakes, and I adore the apron and the tea towel! Jennie x
http://www.scarletscorchdroppers.com
Rosie Dunningham says
These items are the cutest things ever! I feel like my bakes would improve greatly when I wear that apron! So lovely, another wonderful giveaway 🙂 Rosie x
http://www.rosebudbakes.wordpress.com