Gloverly Cupcakes

I’m a bit late getting going with the Christmas recipes this year, I’m not really sure where the time has gone! But I have been busy baking, so I have plenty of Christmas recipes to share over the next couple of weeks. Here’s the first recipe, one of my favourite flavours – chocolate orange. Click here to see how to make this chocolate orange and almond biscotti.

Here’s the recipe:

200g Blanched almonds

4 medium eggs

300g golden caster sugar

425g plain flour

100g cocoa powder

100g mixed peel

1 orange, zest only

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 180C or 160C fan, tip the almonds onto a baking tray and roast for 5-8 minutes till lightly golden and leave to cool.

Whisk the 4 eggs with the caster sugar till pale and fluffy, using a wooden spoon stir in the flour, cocoa powder, mixed peel, orange zest, baking powder and salt.

Add the almonds and knead to a stiff dough on a cocoa dusted work surface. Divide into 2 and press into a long thin loaf/log shape about 6cm thick, bake for 30 mins.

Remove from the oven and when just cool enough to handle, cut into 1cm thick slices with a bread knife, lay them back onto the trays and bake for another 10-12 mins.

Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to crisp up.

These make a perfect Christmas pressie as they keep well and are easy to handle and wrap up in a pretty box. But save a few for yourself as they are delicious with a cup of coffee!