For the cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 160°C (fan)/ 350°F/ gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with muffin cases
- Heat the wine in a pan with the spices until it just comes to the boil, then remove from the heat, cover and leave to infuse for at least 30 minutes. Strain before using
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and egg yolk, mix well, then add the mulled wine and orange essence and mix until the batter is evenly combined. Fold in all the dry ingredients with a metal spoon until just combined
- Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cases and bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and leave to cool in the tray for 10 minutes or so before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the spiced mascarpone icing:
- Put the butter, orange juice and zest, cinnamon and half the icing sugar in a bowl and beat, using an electric hand beater on a low speed, until smooth. Add the rest of the icing sugar and beat again until well combined
- Add the mascarpone and continue to beat, this time on a medium speed, for about 30 seconds, until combined. Do not overbeat. Refrigerate the icing until just before you are ready to use it. Ice each cupcake with some of this icing and decorate with sugar-dipped grapes (see below) if you like.
For the sugar-dipped grapes:
- Dip each grape in the egg white and then roll in granulated sugar. Leave to set for a little while before using to decorate the cupcakes. As this decoration includes raw egg whites, remember not to give them to pregnancy women or children.
Taken from Primrose Bakery Celebrations by Lisa Thomas and Martha Swift (Random House; £20)
Ingredients
For the mulled wine:
- 175ml red wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- zest of ½ orange
For the sponge:
- 90g butter, at room temperature
- 200g soft dark brown sugar
- 50g granulated sugar
- 1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 medium glass (175ml) of mulled wine
- 1 teaspoon orange essence
- ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 50g good-quality cocoa powder
- 140g plain flour
For the spiced mascarpone icing:
- 50g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- juice and zest of ½ orange
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 175g icing sugar
- 125g mascarpone
For the sugar-dipped grapes:
- 12 red grapes
- 1 egg white
- granulated sugar
woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
-
Christmas pudding cheesecake
This Christmas pudding cheesecake makes an excellent pud for the Boxing Day buffet
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Christmas Cake Tray Bake
For a quick and easy alternative to Christmas cake, try out this Christmas Cake Tray Bake. It's packed with all the delicious fruit you'd expect and is so quick!
By Samuel Goldsmith Published
-
5 Easy Cupcake Decorating Ideas To Inspire You For The Alzheimer's Society's Cupcake Day 2017
By Woman and Home Published
-
Chocolate and hazelnut roulade
This chocolate and hazelnut roulade comes with an optional Baileys Irish cream liqueur filling for an extra, festive twist
By Jen Bedloe Published
-
Baileys Cheesecake
This no-bake Baileys cheesecake is so easy to make and perfect for cream liqueur lovers, plus it takes just 40 minutes to prepare
By Jess Meyer Published
-
Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline
Serve this rich Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline for a festive dessert that makes a popular alternative to Christmas pudding
By Jen Bedloe Published
-
This is the red wine to avoid if you don't want a headache, according to scientists
There may be cause for celebration for those who suffer from red wine headaches, as scientists may have figured out how to avoid them!
By Laura Harman Published
-
Kate Middleton's cosy winter puffer coat has got us rushing to shop this incredible 70% off deal before Christmas
Kate Middleton's cosy winter puffer coat is an iconic outerwear piece and a stunning alternative is now discounted ahead of Christmas
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Zara Tindall’s bottle green Reiss coat and intricate woven handbag aren’t just for Christmas as she showcases winter sophistication at its best
Zara Tindall's Reiss coat is a gorgeously cosy winter piece that can help elevate your looks and she paired it with a stunning woven bag
By Emma Shacklock Published