Christmas Tree Cupcakes - Recipe

for the cupcakes:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup confectioners/icing sugar
2 cups self-rising flour
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine all the cupcake ingredients into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

for the frosting:
2 oz. ready rolled white fondant
2 oz. ready rolled green fondant
2 tbsp. your favorite jam
coloured candies, non-pariels, star sprinkles etc

2. Roll the white fondant out to 1/8" thick on a greased surface. Cut out 18 circles using a 2" round cookie cutter, set aside. Roll out the green fondant to 1/8" thick on a greased surface. Using a small or mini sized tree cookie cutter, cut out 18 trees and set aside. Brush each cupcake with a little jam to form a thin 1.5" circle. Gently press a white fondant circle into the jam on top of each cupcake. Dip your finger in water and lightly wet the backside of each christmas tree cut out. Place a tree in the centre of each white fondant circle. Decorate with sprinkles, candies or frosting and food coloring markers to make each cupcake special.

Makes approximately 18 cupcakes

Spinach & Pine Nut Muffins - Recipe

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1 tbsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. confectioners/icing sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 lightly beaten egg
1 cup chopped cooked spinach
1/2 cup pine nuts

Preheat the oven to 350F. Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, combine the milk, oil and egg with an electric mixer until well combined. Fold the flour mixture into the milk mixture and stir until nearly combined. Stir in the spinach and pine nuts. Spoon batter into each well of a large 6 cup muffin pan lined with large baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

Makes approximately 6 muffins