Mini Christmas Fruit Cakes

INGREDIENTS

½ cup light molasses
¼ cup water
452 g raisins
455 g candied fruit , chopped
1 tsp vanilla essence
½ cup butter , softened
 10 ½ tbsp sugar
3 large eggs
+ - 1 cup cake flour
¼ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ground all spice
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ cup milk
1 cup chopped nuts

METHOD

• In a small saucepan , combine molasses and water, add raisins and bring to boil
• Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
• Remove from heat and stir in candied fruit and vanilla
• Leave to cool
• In a large bowl now cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
• Add eggs 1 at a time beating well after each addition
• Combine the flour, baking powder and  spices, add to the creamed mixture alternatively with milk
• Add fruit mixture, mixing well then fold in the nuts
• Line muffin tray with miniature muffin cups and fill each cup with mixture
• Bake at 160°C  for 22-24 minutes
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely
• Dust with icing sugar and decorate with raspberries for a festive feel