Mini Christmas Cakes

I made these to put in our Homemade Christmas Hampers, they have the flavour of Christmas Cake but are much lighter and easier to make.  My husband, who normally dislikes fruitcake, declared them to be delicious.  These Mini Christmas Cakes are a delicious treat for a festive afternoon tea, keep some on hand for unexpected visitors or for a sneaky snack with a cuppa.

Mini Christmas Cakes - Makes 10

100g softened butter
110g light soft brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
2 free range eggs
2 Tblsp brandy or orange juice, I used Cherry Brandy
75g self raising flour
2 tsp mixed spice
160g sultanas
170g dried cranberries

Preheat your oven to 160C and line 10 holes of a 12 hole muffin tin with paper cases.

Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.  Add the vanilla, egg, orange juice or brandy and mix until completely incorporated.  Sift over the flour and spice and gently fold through with the fruit until you have a smooth mixture.  Try not to over-mix or beat the mixture or your cakes will be heavy.

Spoon the mixture evenly into the paper cases and smooth the top. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean.  Cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.  

We iced ours with a simple icing sugar and water icing and decorated them with store bought decorations.