Christmas Pudding Cupcakes with Brandy Butter Frosting

I haven't tasted these (only invented them) cos I don't like xmas pudding, but everyone who tried them said they were delicious :) good for leftovers!

Cupcakes

• 120g plain flour
• 140g caster sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 40g unsalted butter or margarine
• 120ml whole milk (but I do use semi-skimmed)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Average sized supermarket christmas pudding (value!), around 454g

Frosting

• 250g icing sugar
• 80g brandy butter
• 25ml milk

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C.

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a bowl or a mixer and mix until everything is a sandy consistency.

Pour in half the milk and mix until just combined.

Mix the egg with the vanilla extract and the rest of the milk and then pour into the mixture and mix again

Crumble about 2/3 of the christmas pudding into the mixture and mix again for a short time.

Spoon the mixture into paper cases so they are around 2/3 full and put into the oven for 20-25 mins.

Whilst they are cooking, put the icing sugar and brandy butter in a bowl, if you have a mixer you are best using it here.  Mix until it looks sandy again, then add the milk and put the mixer on full speed.  Leave it mixing for around 5 mins to make the frosting light and fluffy.

Once cupcakes are done, remove from oven and leave to cool, then pipe or spoon the frosting onto the top and decorate with sprinkles.

Spicy Corn Chowder

One of the 12 days of Soupmas :)  Made with all the leftovers I had in the house at the time

Serves 8

• 1 medium red onion (chopped fine)
• 6 spring onions (chopped fine)
• 1 leek (chopped fine)
• 6 medium potatoes (peeled and chopped fine)
• 2 cans of sweetcorn (340g each)
• 1.5l vegetable/chicken stock
• 500ml semi skimmed milk
• 1 tblsp olive oil
• pinch of chilli flakes or powder (to taste)
• salt and pepper (to taste)

Heat the oil in a large pan on the hob (around 3 litres in size or halve the recipe)

Saute the onion, spring onions and leek for 5-10 minutes until soft.

Add the potato and corn and mix well, season with chilli, salt and pepper.

Pour in the stock and milk and boil then leave to simmer for at least 60mins.

Before serving, if you have a hand blender or stand blender, use it to blend around half the soup so it becomes thick but there are still chunky bits in it.

Serve with fresh crusty bread and lashings of butter :)