mulled wine cupcakes, with Irish Whiskey and chestnut frosting

MAKES 8-10   

Cupcakes

300g plain flour

1 tbsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

175g Kerrygold block butter

150g light soft brown sugar

Finely grated rind of 1 orange

2 eggs

150ml soured cream

150ml mulled wine, room temperature

Irish whiskey and chestnut frosting

200g Kerrygold block butter

100g chestnut puree

450g golden icing sugar

2-3 tbsp Irish whiskey

1.      Preheat the oven to 180 C/350 F/Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease and base line a shallow rectangular baking tin approximately 35 cm x 25cm.  Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon together into a bowl.

2.      Using an electric whisk beat the butter, sugar and orange rind together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and soured cream.

3.      Alternatively fold in the flour mixture and mulled wine in three additions. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cool for 5 minutes in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

4.      To make the frosting, Beat the butter and chestnut puree together in a bowl using an electric whisk. Gradually beat in the sugar then the whiskey.

5.      Using a plain pastry cutter slightly smaller than the top of the jars, cut out circles from the cooled cake. Carefully fit a layer of cake in the base of each jar. Fill a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle with the frosting and pipe a layer over the cake. Top with another circle of cake, pushing down to fit snugly. Pipe a rosette of frosting on top of each cake and secure the lid to the jar. Tie each with a ribbon before serving.

This recipe was made using Kerrygold butter, for more information on Kerrygold and some delicious recipe ideas, visit www.facebook.com/KerrygoldUK

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Surviving Santa

A guide to sleep survival over the Santa Season has been published by The Sleep Council.

As the UK’s number one source of everday sleep tips, the consumer advice arm of the National Bed Federation has published its ‘Surviving Santa’ guide on www.sleepcouncil.org.uk

Said spokeswoman Jessica Alexander: “Christmas is the one time of the year when the sleep routine of just about everyone in Britain goes off the rails.

“Adults and children alike tend to go to bed quite a bit later than usual over the festive period. That along with all the preparations and partying can play havoc with sleep patterns.”

To help people survive the seasonal sleep disruption The Sleep Council suggests:

Try as much as possible to keep regular hours – we know it can be hard when you’re staying up late for Santa! Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time, all the time, will programme your body to sleep better.

Create a restful sleeping environment. Keep the Christmas decorations to the other parts of your home! Your bedroom should be kept for rest and sleep and it should be neither too hot, nor too cold; and as quiet and dark as possible.

Make sure your bed is comfortable. It’s difficult to get deep, restful sleep on one that’s too soft, too hard, too small or too old. It should also be as big as possible so your partner rarely disturbs you. Perhaps a new bed should be on your Christmas present list!

Take more exercise. Regular, moderate exercise such as swimming or walking can help relieve the day’s stresses and strains. But not too close to bedtime or it may keep you awake. A good brisk walk is ideal to stop you feeling sluggish after a hefty Christmas dinner!

Don’t end up compensating for lack of sleep by going too heavy on stimulants such as caffeine in tea, coffee or cola - especially in the evening. They interfere with falling asleep and prevent deep sleep. Have a hot milky drink or herbal tea instead.

Don’t over-indulge on turkey, mince pies and mulled wine! Too much food or alcohol, especially late at night, can play havoc with sleep patterns. Alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, but will interrupt your sleep later on in the night. It is hard in the party period but try to swap to water a couple of hours before bedtime.

Keep some ear plugs handy to block out the sound of your partner’s alcohol or feast-induced snoring.

Try to relax and insist on some ‘me time’ before going to bed. Have a warm bath, listen to some quiet music, do some yoga - all help to relax both the mind and body. Your doctor may be able to recommend a helpful relaxation tape, too.

Resolve arguments before bed. Ongoing conflicts are not conducive to putting you in the right frame of mind for sleep!

If you can’t sleep, don’t lie there worrying about it. Get up and do something you find relaxing until you feel sleepy again - then go back to bed.

www.sleepcouncil.com

Spurs Bath & Body Range, available from www.shop.tottenhamhotspur.com

Spurs Bath & Body Range, available from www.shop.tottenhamhotspur.com

An ideal stocking filler for the Spurs fanatic, the new collection features a relaxing Bubble Bath, Shower Gel and luxurious Hair & Body Wash. The range combines a spicy, fresh, citrus scent and boasts an empowering manly aroma. The sleek packaging features the iconic Spurs logo and founding year of 1882.

· Spurs Bubble Bath - £5

· Spurs Shower Gel - £5

· Spurs Hair & Body Wash - £5

Order by 22nd December Express Delivery in time for Christmas.

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Beat the Christmas Shopping Rush With Christmas Hamper

With Christmas just days away, and with more shoppers than expected heading to the high street, Christmas Hamper advise consumers on how to make Christmas a lot less stressful.

Shoppers have returned to the British high street in their thousands this year, as recent figures have revealed that more consumers than expected went Christmas shopping during the final weekend before Christmas, spending an estimated £1 billion on the Saturday before Christmas alone.

While this is great news for retailers after a rather difficult year, it isn't great news for customers, as more sales means more crowds and also longer waiting times. However, shoppers who still have presents to buy needn't worry because Christmas Hamper have a solution.

A spokesperson for Christmas Hamper explains: “December has been a much more profitable period for retailers than previously expected, as more consumers than expected have returned to the high street. However, the increase in sales has led to issues for customers, as the surge in people visiting shops, supermarkets and other retail centres had meant that their shopping experience might not have been as enjoyable. At Christmas Hamper, we know how stressful Christmas shopping can be, and so we've taken a lot of time and care to that our customers can order our hampers in the comfort of their own home, and with no stress.

While the retail figures from last weekend before Christmas have revealed that shoppers in the UK spent an impressive £1.5 million every minute last Saturday, the high street is obviously a very busy place to be this Christmas. But at Christmas Hamper, they have some advice for any shopper that has to do last minute chopping during the festive season, including the final day to order gifts to ensure they arrive before Christmas day.

The spokesperson for Christmas Hamper continues: “Christmas time is obviously the busiest time of year to go shopping, with so much to buy, such as cards, wrapping paper, gifts, toys and hampers but we realise that there are certain times when a consumer has to go to the high street or their supermarket to get some last minute presents and other essentials for the festive season.

"So our advice to customers is that if they are worrying about going shopping during this time, then they should be organised, they need to have a plan before they leave the house: such as writing a list of what they need, how much it costs, and where they have to buy it, and they should leave the house early in order to beat the crowds. If they are ordering presents online, then it's vital that they are aware of the final day to order gifts to ensure Christmas delivery.

At Christmas Hamper, our final order date before Christmas is the 21st of December (EDITOR: That's today!) which means that anyone who orders on this date will receive their hamper before the 25th. Once all the shopping is done, it's time to relax and enjoy Christmas, and so we want to wish all our customers a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.”

FACTFILE:
ChristmasHamper.com owned and managed by Highland Fayre Ltd. have been supplying Luxury Christmas Hampers, since 1985, to thousands of corporate and private customers throughout the UK and Europe, becoming Scotland’s premier hamper company.

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