Christmas Cake Cupcakes

Bake 9 - #12BakesofChristmas 

I was on the hunt for some kind of twist on the traditional Christmas Cake for this challenge and my wonderful friend Emily came up trumps with this recipe which her family makes every year. She kindly shared it with me, to share with you so thank you Emily! This recipe, unlike a traditional Christmas Cake, is alcohol free, so perfect for all the family! A great recipe to make as a family as you can lovingly decorate the cakes however you like. I added these little iced decorations I found in Lidl, but you can use whatever you fancy! 

Ingredients for the cakes:
175g butter
175g light brown sugar
3 eggs
175g self raising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground mixed spice
115g mixed dried fruit
2 tbsp orange juice

Ingredients for the icing:
115g icing sugar
1/2 tbsp hot water

Method:
1. Preheat the oven 170. 
2. Place the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder and spices into a bowl and beat with an electric whisk until pale and creamy.
3. Fold in the orange juice and dried fruit.
4. Spoon 35g of the mixture into each case and bake for 15-20 minutes. 
5. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and stir in enough water to make a thick smooth icing.
6. Spoon the icing onto the cake and top with decoration once cooled. 

Makes 12