Pointless, the board game based on Alexander Armstrong’s BBC1 show, where the least popular answer is the winning answer has sold out in many of the major retailers, such as John Lewis, Amazon and WH Smith, with people even bidding on Ebay. More Pointless games from the 2012 stock are being shipped in to minimise Christmas shoppers disappointment.
Some business’ always boom in recession and that is particularly true of board games which are seen as a cost-effective alternative to computer games and going out. Shoppers are still spending and toy retailers are having to deal with demand on increased family-friendly and fun purchases.
Board games supplier, University Games is seeing exceptional sales this year across all their products. Mr&Mrs and Who Wants to be a Millionaire are classic big sellers over Christmas time but their new games Pointless, 5 Second Rule and Smart Ass have exceeded all expectations.
The General Manager of University Games, Adrian Whyles said “the demand for Pointless has been far higher than expected – we’ve exceeded our forecast by over 50% and still could have sold more. This is mainly brought about by Alexander Armstrong’s show switching from BBC2 to BBC1, and the continually increasing popularity of the show. And plans for the show are even greater in 2012, so there is huge commitment from the BBC.”
Even the PR agency have had calls from shoppers and have sold their last board games!
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Life-changing mobility car given to deserving Hampshire family in time for Christmas
Christmas came early for four-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Zac Walton and his family when they took delivery of a wheelchair-accessible car.
Big-hearted Constables Mobility Managing Director David Constable agreed to give the family the £14,000 vehicle when he heard about the amazing fundraising Zac’s father Ben had been doing for charities like Whizz Kids.
Ben, from Andover, found out about the car when he attended a recording of Noel’s Christmas Presents believing that his friend Howard would be receiving a gift from Noel Edmonds. Ben was moved to tears when Noel approached him during the recording and told him that Constables Mobility had agreed to donate a Citroёn Berlingo converted for wheelchair passengers with a lowered floor and a gently sloping ramp.
David Constable, Managing Director of Constables Mobility, said: “When we were approached by Noel’s team and told about Ben’s incredible generosity towards others and how the family desperately needed a better way to transport their son as he grows heavier, we agreed to help. Having one of the cars we’ve adapted for wheelchair users and their families and friends will make a huge difference to Zac and his family and give them the freedom to travel easily and comfortably.”
Ben, who firmly believes that ‘what goes around comes around’, was finding it increasingly difficult to lift Zac in and out of their ordinary car. Life had just become even more challenging with the arrival of Zac’s baby sister Lara. The Constables car is the answer to the family’s prayers as it will allow them to transport Zac safely and easily in his wheelchair.
Ben said: “I’m the only one who could get Zac in and out of a normal car. He’s quite tall for his age and, because he can’t use his legs, it was like threading a needle to get him in the right position. It meant all sorts of awkward positions like having his legs over my shoulders – it wasn’t good for either of us especially as he’s at an age when dignity it becoming increasingly important. It was also really time consuming as Zac’s special buggy has a four-point harness to undo and it’s heavy to lift and fold up. The new car is going to be fantastic. It will make our lives so much easier and save us so much time – I can’t thank Constables Mobility enough.”
Zac was 10 weeks premature and spent nine weeks in a neo natal unit before being allowed home. He weighed just 5.5lbs when he was allowed to leave hospital and Ben and his wife Abby were told that he’d been starved of oxygen. Just before Zac turned one, the couple were told the devastating news that their little boy had cerebral palsy. Since then, Zac has had several operations and there has been a constant stream of appointments to see doctors and specialists about his condition.
Ben, who has been nicknamed the ‘Iron man’ firmly believes that if someone is kind to you, you should repay their kindness. So, when Zac came out of hospital, Ben set about raising money for a baby incubator. So far he has raised £9,000.
But even before Zac was born, the 36 year old, who owns a dry cleaning business in Andover, had gained a reputation for doing crazy things involving ironing to raise money for Children in Need.
Ben’s stunts have gained him the World Record for ironing non-stop for 75 hours, breaking his previous world record of 60 hours. Ben’s ironing marathon raised £2,750 for Princess Royal Trust for Carers - the charity that helped the Walton family to buy Zac's special buggy. Ben raised enough to pay back the value of the buggy, plus enough to fund a pamper day for the carers and their Christmas party.
Ben has also raised money ironing in lots of different locations including at the top of Ben Nevis and at every football club in England in 36 hours in 2005. He even ironed on the roof of Andover’s Guildhall dressed as Pudsey Bear and has pressed items for celebrities like Sir Terry Wogan and Status Quo for charity. Ben’s ironing exploits have raised a massive £20,000 over seven years. He also found time to run the London Marathon last year, raising £5,000 for charity Bliss.
With little Zac as his inspiration, in 2012 Ben plans to complete the Three Peaks Challenge for Andover Young Carers who have recently had their funding cut, and run three marathons for Whizz Kids.
All Constables Mobility conversions are designed for the comfort and safety of the wheelchair user, driver and other passengers.. Like all the company’s wheelchair-accessible cars, Constables’ Citroёn Berlingo conversions are designed and manufactured at purpose-built UK production facilities.
Constables’ Berlingo is perfect for families because its flexibility offers seating options for up to five people including a wheelchair user and driver. In addition, there is a choice of optional folding seats. Access for the wheelchair user is up a gently sloping lightweight ramp, so gentle that it rarely requires a winch, and the conversion is fully certified to the most up-to-date EU standards for safety and the environment.
Constables Mobility is one of the UK's leading reputable manufacturers and suppliers of rear access Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) for one or two wheelchair users and have the largest range of flexible seating options in the WAV industry, offering the perfect solution for everyone searching for disabled vehicles.
Constables combine expertly engineered conversions with a price that defines great value to give you choice and flexibility when searching for a disabled vehicle that is both driver friendly and will comfortably carry the driver, wheelchair user and several additional passengers.
Renowned for their quality British engineering and innovation, Constables build wheelchair accessible vehicles to the highest standards, offering the family and wheelchair passenger true freedom, independence, good accessibility and exceptional user comfort.
Contact Constables on 0844 88 00 218 to book a free demonstration at your home, work, business or school, or visit www.constablesmobility.com
“Noel’s Christmas Presents” is a 90-minute studio show broadcast on SKY 1 over the festive period. Noel Edmonds makes dreams come true for the nation’s most deserving, hard-working and selfless people.
Rewarding people for their acts of generosity, Noel tells their emotive stories, as the once-in-a-lifetime gifts make this a Christmas to remember. The show is a heart-warming and uplifting festive treat brimming with touching true-life tales to remind the nation that Christmas should be about giving.
This Christmas, Noel’s Christmas Presents hopes to make the festive season extra special for some of those who’ve dedicated their time to others or battled against the odds. Having been nominated by friends, neighbours or family, Noel Edmonds travels the country delivering unique presents to people who deserve a Christmas gift which money cannot buy.
Big-hearted Constables Mobility Managing Director David Constable agreed to give the family the £14,000 vehicle when he heard about the amazing fundraising Zac’s father Ben had been doing for charities like Whizz Kids.
Ben, from Andover, found out about the car when he attended a recording of Noel’s Christmas Presents believing that his friend Howard would be receiving a gift from Noel Edmonds. Ben was moved to tears when Noel approached him during the recording and told him that Constables Mobility had agreed to donate a Citroёn Berlingo converted for wheelchair passengers with a lowered floor and a gently sloping ramp.
David Constable, Managing Director of Constables Mobility, said: “When we were approached by Noel’s team and told about Ben’s incredible generosity towards others and how the family desperately needed a better way to transport their son as he grows heavier, we agreed to help. Having one of the cars we’ve adapted for wheelchair users and their families and friends will make a huge difference to Zac and his family and give them the freedom to travel easily and comfortably.”
Ben, who firmly believes that ‘what goes around comes around’, was finding it increasingly difficult to lift Zac in and out of their ordinary car. Life had just become even more challenging with the arrival of Zac’s baby sister Lara. The Constables car is the answer to the family’s prayers as it will allow them to transport Zac safely and easily in his wheelchair.
Ben said: “I’m the only one who could get Zac in and out of a normal car. He’s quite tall for his age and, because he can’t use his legs, it was like threading a needle to get him in the right position. It meant all sorts of awkward positions like having his legs over my shoulders – it wasn’t good for either of us especially as he’s at an age when dignity it becoming increasingly important. It was also really time consuming as Zac’s special buggy has a four-point harness to undo and it’s heavy to lift and fold up. The new car is going to be fantastic. It will make our lives so much easier and save us so much time – I can’t thank Constables Mobility enough.”
Zac was 10 weeks premature and spent nine weeks in a neo natal unit before being allowed home. He weighed just 5.5lbs when he was allowed to leave hospital and Ben and his wife Abby were told that he’d been starved of oxygen. Just before Zac turned one, the couple were told the devastating news that their little boy had cerebral palsy. Since then, Zac has had several operations and there has been a constant stream of appointments to see doctors and specialists about his condition.
Ben, who has been nicknamed the ‘Iron man’ firmly believes that if someone is kind to you, you should repay their kindness. So, when Zac came out of hospital, Ben set about raising money for a baby incubator. So far he has raised £9,000.
But even before Zac was born, the 36 year old, who owns a dry cleaning business in Andover, had gained a reputation for doing crazy things involving ironing to raise money for Children in Need.
Ben’s stunts have gained him the World Record for ironing non-stop for 75 hours, breaking his previous world record of 60 hours. Ben’s ironing marathon raised £2,750 for Princess Royal Trust for Carers - the charity that helped the Walton family to buy Zac's special buggy. Ben raised enough to pay back the value of the buggy, plus enough to fund a pamper day for the carers and their Christmas party.
Ben has also raised money ironing in lots of different locations including at the top of Ben Nevis and at every football club in England in 36 hours in 2005. He even ironed on the roof of Andover’s Guildhall dressed as Pudsey Bear and has pressed items for celebrities like Sir Terry Wogan and Status Quo for charity. Ben’s ironing exploits have raised a massive £20,000 over seven years. He also found time to run the London Marathon last year, raising £5,000 for charity Bliss.
With little Zac as his inspiration, in 2012 Ben plans to complete the Three Peaks Challenge for Andover Young Carers who have recently had their funding cut, and run three marathons for Whizz Kids.
All Constables Mobility conversions are designed for the comfort and safety of the wheelchair user, driver and other passengers.. Like all the company’s wheelchair-accessible cars, Constables’ Citroёn Berlingo conversions are designed and manufactured at purpose-built UK production facilities.
Constables’ Berlingo is perfect for families because its flexibility offers seating options for up to five people including a wheelchair user and driver. In addition, there is a choice of optional folding seats. Access for the wheelchair user is up a gently sloping lightweight ramp, so gentle that it rarely requires a winch, and the conversion is fully certified to the most up-to-date EU standards for safety and the environment.
Constables Mobility is one of the UK's leading reputable manufacturers and suppliers of rear access Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) for one or two wheelchair users and have the largest range of flexible seating options in the WAV industry, offering the perfect solution for everyone searching for disabled vehicles.
Constables combine expertly engineered conversions with a price that defines great value to give you choice and flexibility when searching for a disabled vehicle that is both driver friendly and will comfortably carry the driver, wheelchair user and several additional passengers.
Renowned for their quality British engineering and innovation, Constables build wheelchair accessible vehicles to the highest standards, offering the family and wheelchair passenger true freedom, independence, good accessibility and exceptional user comfort.
Contact Constables on 0844 88 00 218 to book a free demonstration at your home, work, business or school, or visit www.constablesmobility.com
“Noel’s Christmas Presents” is a 90-minute studio show broadcast on SKY 1 over the festive period. Noel Edmonds makes dreams come true for the nation’s most deserving, hard-working and selfless people.
Rewarding people for their acts of generosity, Noel tells their emotive stories, as the once-in-a-lifetime gifts make this a Christmas to remember. The show is a heart-warming and uplifting festive treat brimming with touching true-life tales to remind the nation that Christmas should be about giving.
This Christmas, Noel’s Christmas Presents hopes to make the festive season extra special for some of those who’ve dedicated their time to others or battled against the odds. Having been nominated by friends, neighbours or family, Noel Edmonds travels the country delivering unique presents to people who deserve a Christmas gift which money cannot buy.
Celebrity Christmas Puddings Could Put Drivers Over The Limit
As the festive season approaches, Halfords is warning drivers to be wary of the alcohol levels contained in some Christmas puds.
Research from the car accessories retailer shows that motorists could inadvertently go over the drink drive limit if they consume too many of the celebrity desserts that will be gracing our tables this Christmas.
Ex model turned chef Lorraine Pascal, whose new cookbook is predicted to top the non-fiction charts, shares her recipe for Winter Swiss Roll Bake, which includes 150ml of alcohol such as rum or sherry. Serving 8-10, one portion would contain at least half a unit.
If this is combined with an alcohol based sauce such as Marco Pierre White's Lemon Syallabub (serves 6), concocted with 15mls white wine and 50ml limoncello liqueur, the alchohol content would be even greater.
Jamie Oliver’s Hot Rummy Lemonade, which he promises will “get your jingle bells ringing” packs an alcoholic punch, with one serving contributing one unit to a driver’s alcohol intake.
With the drink drive limit 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, Halfords warns motorists to be careful of slipping over the drink drive limit this Christmas.
Paul Fensome, Halfords Travel Solutions Product Manager said: “Experts recommend no more than 4 units for men and 3 for women if you’re driving, but our advice is always not to drink. A 3 course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings may contain alcohol in many of the dishes. So much, in fact, that it may only take a small glass of wine before drivers can no longer drive safely or legally.
For those driving the next day Halfords is advising motorists to use the AlcoSense Lite Breathalyser, which means they can check if their body has metabolised any alcohol before they set out.
If you’re feasting on Heston Blumentol’s Cherry and Chocolate Pudding, beware of the alcohol contained in this tasty treat. 100ml of amaretto liqueur is added to the dessert, which serves 8, potenitally adding up to half a unit of booze.
Nigella’s Boozy British Trifle, which serves 20, contains 500mls of sherry, the equivalent of 10 units of alcohol, with one portion containing half a unit of booze.
An alternative to the traditional trifle, but no less alcoholic, is Delia Smith’s Caramelised Orange Trifle, which includes 150ml of madeira and a tablespoon of cognac.
When foods are cooked in the oven, anything from 5% to 85% of alcohol can burn off – so these figures are approximations.
Research from the car accessories retailer shows that motorists could inadvertently go over the drink drive limit if they consume too many of the celebrity desserts that will be gracing our tables this Christmas.
Ex model turned chef Lorraine Pascal, whose new cookbook is predicted to top the non-fiction charts, shares her recipe for Winter Swiss Roll Bake, which includes 150ml of alcohol such as rum or sherry. Serving 8-10, one portion would contain at least half a unit.
If this is combined with an alcohol based sauce such as Marco Pierre White's Lemon Syallabub (serves 6), concocted with 15mls white wine and 50ml limoncello liqueur, the alchohol content would be even greater.
Jamie Oliver’s Hot Rummy Lemonade, which he promises will “get your jingle bells ringing” packs an alcoholic punch, with one serving contributing one unit to a driver’s alcohol intake.
With the drink drive limit 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, Halfords warns motorists to be careful of slipping over the drink drive limit this Christmas.
Paul Fensome, Halfords Travel Solutions Product Manager said: “Experts recommend no more than 4 units for men and 3 for women if you’re driving, but our advice is always not to drink. A 3 course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings may contain alcohol in many of the dishes. So much, in fact, that it may only take a small glass of wine before drivers can no longer drive safely or legally.
For those driving the next day Halfords is advising motorists to use the AlcoSense Lite Breathalyser, which means they can check if their body has metabolised any alcohol before they set out.
If you’re feasting on Heston Blumentol’s Cherry and Chocolate Pudding, beware of the alcohol contained in this tasty treat. 100ml of amaretto liqueur is added to the dessert, which serves 8, potenitally adding up to half a unit of booze.
Nigella’s Boozy British Trifle, which serves 20, contains 500mls of sherry, the equivalent of 10 units of alcohol, with one portion containing half a unit of booze.
An alternative to the traditional trifle, but no less alcoholic, is Delia Smith’s Caramelised Orange Trifle, which includes 150ml of madeira and a tablespoon of cognac.
When foods are cooked in the oven, anything from 5% to 85% of alcohol can burn off – so these figures are approximations.
That's Books: Do you know London? Reader's Digest book makes you...
That's Books: Do you know London? Reader's Digest book makes you...: My wife knows London really well. She should do, she is a confirmed Tottenham Hotspurs fan, and has relatives who still live in the area of...
Odd Bins says recycle your bottles. With a difference!
Recycling their empty bottles has proved very productive for these lucky people, echoing the New Year saying ‘out with the old and in with the new.’
They were caught by surprise in Central London and were handed a full bottle of Oddbins Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon in return for their empties.
The high street off licence plans to place the bins around the country later in the year to encourage people to recycle their unwanted bottles.
Oddbins relaunched across the country two months ago with a diverse range of wines and a closer connection to the customer.
Simon Mason, Head of Commercial at Oddbins, said: “These are the odd bins that just keep on giving! We wanted to bring in a bit of Christmas cheer and try to find a fun way to encourage people to recycle - and you can tell by the reaction of the people in the video that it worked.
"I have to say that if you pop into one of our stores across the country the only surprise you will get is the wide range of wines we have and the great prices. I promise no one will jump out at you. If only the banks worked this way."
They were caught by surprise in Central London and were handed a full bottle of Oddbins Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon in return for their empties.
The high street off licence plans to place the bins around the country later in the year to encourage people to recycle their unwanted bottles.
Oddbins relaunched across the country two months ago with a diverse range of wines and a closer connection to the customer.
Simon Mason, Head of Commercial at Oddbins, said: “These are the odd bins that just keep on giving! We wanted to bring in a bit of Christmas cheer and try to find a fun way to encourage people to recycle - and you can tell by the reaction of the people in the video that it worked.
"I have to say that if you pop into one of our stores across the country the only surprise you will get is the wide range of wines we have and the great prices. I promise no one will jump out at you. If only the banks worked this way."
Watch out bosses - workers set to lose all inhibitions at work Christmas parties
- Almost a quarter of Brits have kissed a colleague at the work Christmas party
- Teachers are most likely to call in sick the following day
- Bankers are the most likely to make a fool of themselves
Almost a quarter of all workers (23 per cent) have had a cheeky snog with a colleague at their work Christmas party, and a further one in ten (10 per cent) have ended up in bed with them, according to new research from American Restaurant T.G.I. Friday’s. Over a third (34 per cent) of work party-goers confess to really letting their hair down at their Christmas party, so bosses should get ready to see a different side to their staff as companies across the UK celebrate at their Christmas parties.
In the spirit of Christmas, 17 per cent of workers have showed their embarrassing moves on the dance floor, 19 per cent have made a fool of themselves, and one in ten (10 per cent) have shared secrets they later wish they hadn’t. In a show of honesty, two per cent of workers have declared love for a colleague at the Christmas bash, and nine per cent have told co-workers what they really think of them.
The top ten Christmas party confessions:
Activity Percentage
1 Snogged a colleague 23%
2 Made a fool of themselves 19%
3 Showed their embarrassing dance moves 17%
4 Revealed they know all the words to a cheesy pop song 14%
5 Had sex with a colleague 10%
6 Shared a personal secret they wished they hadn’t 10%
7 Told a colleague what they really thought of them 9%
8 Played a prank on a colleague 7%
9 Called in sick the next day 5%
10 Stripped or flashed 3%
Un-professional behaviour
When it comes to really going for it at the work Christmas party, there are differences in how professions behave:
• Over half of HR workers (55 per cent) have locked lips with a colleague at their work Christmas party
• Media workers are taking things a step further – a third (33 per cent) have gone all the way and had sex with a colleague after the Christmas bash
• Bankers are most likely to make fools of themselves – 33 per cent admit that they have done so
• Tradesmen are least likely to mince their words, with 15 per cent of them admitting that they have told a colleague ‘what they really thought of them’ at a work party
• One in ten teachers has called in sick the day after a work Christmas bash
Christmas party confessions (by profession):
Activity Most likely profession Percentage
1 Kiss a colleague HR 55%
2 Have sex with a colleague Media 33%
3 Make a fool of themselves Bankers 31%
4 Know all the words to a cheesy pop song Bankers 27%
5 Tell a colleague what they really think of them Tradesmen 15%
6 Shared a personal secret they wished they never told Finance 21%
7 Strip or flash Leisure & travel 9%
8 Played a prank on a colleague Leisure & travel 15%
9 Call in sick Teachers 10%
Despite many companies raising an eyebrow to inter-office relationships, 66 per cent of workers think that locking lips with a co-worker at the Christmas bash is fine. And one in ten men thinks that a cheeky snog with a colleague is ok even if they are in a relationship.
Darrell Wade, T.G.I. Friday’s UK commercial director commented: “We see guests having fun everyday at T.G.I. Friday’s but it really does ramp up as we hit the work Christmas party season. It’s been a tough year for lots of companies across the UK, so we’re predicting that workers this year will really be letting their hair down and going for it, bosses should be prepared!
“We’ve got 51 restaurants across the UK and it’s interesting to see how different groups behave differently. We see all sorts at our restaurants, but ultimately everyone has fun. The work Christmas party is all about relaxing and letting your hair down with your work mates and it always provides some chatter around the water cooler the next day!”
For more information on Christmas parties at T.G.I. Friday’s visit www.tgifridays.co.uk
- Teachers are most likely to call in sick the following day
- Bankers are the most likely to make a fool of themselves
Almost a quarter of all workers (23 per cent) have had a cheeky snog with a colleague at their work Christmas party, and a further one in ten (10 per cent) have ended up in bed with them, according to new research from American Restaurant T.G.I. Friday’s. Over a third (34 per cent) of work party-goers confess to really letting their hair down at their Christmas party, so bosses should get ready to see a different side to their staff as companies across the UK celebrate at their Christmas parties.
In the spirit of Christmas, 17 per cent of workers have showed their embarrassing moves on the dance floor, 19 per cent have made a fool of themselves, and one in ten (10 per cent) have shared secrets they later wish they hadn’t. In a show of honesty, two per cent of workers have declared love for a colleague at the Christmas bash, and nine per cent have told co-workers what they really think of them.
The top ten Christmas party confessions:
Activity Percentage
1 Snogged a colleague 23%
2 Made a fool of themselves 19%
3 Showed their embarrassing dance moves 17%
4 Revealed they know all the words to a cheesy pop song 14%
5 Had sex with a colleague 10%
6 Shared a personal secret they wished they hadn’t 10%
7 Told a colleague what they really thought of them 9%
8 Played a prank on a colleague 7%
9 Called in sick the next day 5%
10 Stripped or flashed 3%
Un-professional behaviour
When it comes to really going for it at the work Christmas party, there are differences in how professions behave:
• Over half of HR workers (55 per cent) have locked lips with a colleague at their work Christmas party
• Media workers are taking things a step further – a third (33 per cent) have gone all the way and had sex with a colleague after the Christmas bash
• Bankers are most likely to make fools of themselves – 33 per cent admit that they have done so
• Tradesmen are least likely to mince their words, with 15 per cent of them admitting that they have told a colleague ‘what they really thought of them’ at a work party
• One in ten teachers has called in sick the day after a work Christmas bash
Christmas party confessions (by profession):
Activity Most likely profession Percentage
1 Kiss a colleague HR 55%
2 Have sex with a colleague Media 33%
3 Make a fool of themselves Bankers 31%
4 Know all the words to a cheesy pop song Bankers 27%
5 Tell a colleague what they really think of them Tradesmen 15%
6 Shared a personal secret they wished they never told Finance 21%
7 Strip or flash Leisure & travel 9%
8 Played a prank on a colleague Leisure & travel 15%
9 Call in sick Teachers 10%
Despite many companies raising an eyebrow to inter-office relationships, 66 per cent of workers think that locking lips with a co-worker at the Christmas bash is fine. And one in ten men thinks that a cheeky snog with a colleague is ok even if they are in a relationship.
Darrell Wade, T.G.I. Friday’s UK commercial director commented: “We see guests having fun everyday at T.G.I. Friday’s but it really does ramp up as we hit the work Christmas party season. It’s been a tough year for lots of companies across the UK, so we’re predicting that workers this year will really be letting their hair down and going for it, bosses should be prepared!
“We’ve got 51 restaurants across the UK and it’s interesting to see how different groups behave differently. We see all sorts at our restaurants, but ultimately everyone has fun. The work Christmas party is all about relaxing and letting your hair down with your work mates and it always provides some chatter around the water cooler the next day!”
For more information on Christmas parties at T.G.I. Friday’s visit www.tgifridays.co.uk
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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