Salted Caramel Christmas Cake Recipes

SALTED CARAMEL CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter the base of a loose-bottomed 20cm cake tin that is at least 7cm deep. Line the base with baking parchment, then wrap a wide band of parchment around the outside of the tin and tie to secure, so the cake won't burn.
• Combine both types of nuts, the dates, sultanas and toffee in a bowl, then mix the flour, salt, sugar and almonds together in another bowl. Beat the butter, eggs, treacle and rum into the flour mixture with an electric whisk until smooth. Stir the fruit and nut mix into the wet ingredients, then gently fold through the dulce de leche to create a ripple effect. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level with the back of a spoon. Bake for 1 hr, then reduce the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Cover the cake with a circle of baking parchment and bake for another 1 hr 25 mins, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Set aside (don't remove from the tin) and increase the oven temperature to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• To make the topping, gently heat the syrup and butter in a pan. Stir in the salt, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds and flour. Remove the parchment circle from the cake, then dot the surface with the topping and bake for 12-15 mins more until golden. Leave to cool in the tin, then remove and decorate with ribbon, if you like. Will keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

SALTED CARAMEL CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole cake tin with paper cases.
• Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla extract. Briefly mix in the flour until just combined, and stir in the milk until the batter just falls off the beaters.
• Divide the mixture between the cases, leaving about 2 tbsp batter in the bowl. Add a pinch of salt to the caramel sauce if it's not salted caramel, then add ½ tsp to the tops of each cupcake. Use a teaspoon to cover the caramel sauce with the remaining batter. Bake for 15-20 mins until springy and golden. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, make the icing. Beat the butter and half of the icing sugar together, then tip in the remaining icing sugar and whisk vigorously until pale and fluffy. Stir in half of the caramel sauce, then spoon the mixture into a piping bag with a round or star nozzle.
• Pipe swirls of icing on top of the cooled cupcakes. Stir the remaining caramel sauce with a pinch of salt, if unsalted, then use to drizzle over the icing. Sprinkle over a small pinch of sea salt over each, if you like.

SALTED CARAMEL-STUFFED SNICKERDOODLES

Steps:

• Line cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil. Spoon 40 slightly less than level measuring teaspoonfuls dulce de leche onto cookie sheet. Freeze about 1 hour or until slightly firm (will not freeze solid).
• Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Press thumb into center of each cookie to make deep indentation, but do not press all the way to cookie sheet. Place 1 dollop of the dulce de leche into center of each cookie, making sure to form dough around dollop to enclose. If necessary, work with lightly floured fingers so dough doesn't stick. You may have to return dulce de leche dollops to freezer if they become too warm to work with.
• Mix 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the cinnamon. Roll balls in sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set (centers will be soft). Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.