Last-Minute Sweet & Savoury Festive Treat

Last-Minute Sweet & Savoury Festive Treat Recipes from California Walnuts. Hello friends, so how are you today?

Today I am sharing a guest post from California Walnuts, just in case you are short on time this Christmas and fancy making some last-minute treats.

If you’ve run out of time to make Christmas cake, pudding, mince pies and snacks, but still want to impress family and friends with homemade delights, don’t panic, as California Walnuts has created recipes for four festive showstoppers that look and taste great and can all be prepared in 15 minutes or less!

Table Of Contents:

• Firstly, California Walnut Christmas Loaf Cake,
• Secondly, Christmas California Walnut Winter Pudding.
• Thirdly, California Walnut Christmas Tarts.
• Fourthly, Christmas Coated California Walnuts.

Last-Minute Sweet & Savoury Festive Treat Recipes:

As well as having a mild and creamy flavour which is delicious in a range of recipes, the festive nut is also the only tree nut to contain a rich source of the plant-based omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), 2.7g/ 30g*. Just one handful also offers 4.4g of protein and 1.4g of fibre^[1].

So, last-minute or not, impress festive guests with these speedy and delicious Christmas treats!

Firstly, California Walnut Christmas Loaf Cake:

Prep: 15 minutes || Cook: 50-55 minutes

Serves 6-8

• 100g dried mixed fruit
• 50g dried cranberries
• 50g California Walnuts, chopped +12 walnut halves to garnish
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 3 tbsp brandy
• 200g butter, softened
• 200g light brown soft sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 200g self-raising flour
• 50g marmalade

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180^oC, gas mark 4. Line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment.
2. Place the dried fruits, walnuts, mixed spice and brandy in a small saucepan and cook for 1-2 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed. Allow to cool slightly.
3. Whisk together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, whisk in the eggs 1 at a time. Stir in the flour and then the soaked fruits, spoon into the prepared tin and bake for 50-55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool before removing from the tin.
4. Warm the marmalade with 1 tbsp water and brush over the cake, top with the walnut halves to decorate.

Cook’s tip: Great cut into slices and served warm with brandy cream.

Secondly, Christmas California Walnut Winter Pudding:

Prep: 15 minutes plus resting || Cook: 8 minutes

Serves 6-8

• 150g dried mixed fruit
• 3 tbsp brandy
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 2 red apples, cored and cut into 1cm dice
• 150g fresh or frozen cranberries
• 200g plums, stoned and cut into 1cm dice
• 100g California Walnuts, roughly chopped, plus 25g finely chopped for garnish
• 100ml orange juice
• 7 slices medium sliced white bread, crusts removed (190g)

Method:

1. Grease a 1.5-litre pudding bowl.
2. Place all the ingredients except the bread in a large saucepan, cover and simmer for 7-8 minutes until the fruit has softened and released their juices, sieve over a bowl.
3. Dip 5 slices of the bread in the juices and scatter with finely chopped walnuts and use to line the bowl, overlapping slightly so there are no gaps. Spoon in the fruit press down. Dip the remaining bread in the juice and top the fruit so it is completely covered.
4. Cover with clingfilm and set a small saucer on top along with a weight, place in the fridge for 3-4 hours, ideally overnight before upturning on a serving plate.

Cook’s tip: Try using wholemeal bread instead of white bread.

Last-Minute Sweet & Savoury Festive Treat Recipes:

Thirdly, California Walnut Christmas Tarts:

Prep: 15-20 minutes + chilling || Cook: 25 minutes

Makes 12

For the pastry:

• 50g California Walnuts
• 200g plain flour
• 125g butter, diced
• 1 medium egg yolk

For the filling:

• 150g California Walnuts + 12 walnut halves for garnish
• 25g icing sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 200g cranberry sauce
• 2 medium eggs
• Zest 1 orange
• 50g dried cranberries
• Icing sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200⁰C, gas mark 6.
2. To make the pastry, place the walnuts in a food processor and blitz until fine, add the flour and butter and process to give breadcrumbs. Mix in the egg yolk and 2-3 tbsp water until the mixture comes together. Knead lightly, wrap in clingfilm and chill for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the filling. In the same food processor, blitz the walnuts until fine, add the icing sugar, cinnamon, cranberry sauce, eggs and orange zest and mix again until combined, stir in the dried cranberries.
4. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and cut out 12 x 10cm circles, pressing them into a 12 hole muffin tin. Cut out 12 stars approx. the diameter of the pastry cases. Divide the filling between the pastry cases, top with a star and then a walnut half. Bake for 25 minutes until golden.
5. Dust with a little icing sugar to serve.

Cook’s tip: Great served warm with brandy butter or whipped cream. To save time, use a shop-bought shortcrust pastry.

Fourthly, Christmas Coated California Walnuts:

Prep: 5 minutes || Cook: 5-7 minutes

Serves 6-8

• 2 medium egg whites
• 200g California Walnuts
• 1½ tsp smoked paprika
• 30g Parmesan, finely grated
• ½ tsp sea salt flakes

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200^oC, gas mark 6. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Lightly whisk the egg whites until white bubbles cover the surface. Mix in the walnuts, paprika, Parmesan and salt until evenly coated. Spread out evenly over the prepared tray and bake for 5-7 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Cook’s tip: Place in cellophane gift bags and tie with a Christmas ribbon for ideal gifts. Warm in the oven after storage for a crispy snack.

Last-Minute Sweet & Savoury Festive Treat Recipes:

So what do you think about these recipes? Do you also fancy trying any? Because I know I do.

Guest Post From California Walnut. The California Walnut Commission (CWC), established in 1987, represents the California walnut industry made up of over 4,500 growers and close to 100 handlers. The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities. More than 99% of the walnuts produced in the U.S. are grown in the fertile soils of California. Internationally, California Walnuts supply close to two-thirds of the world’s walnut trade. You can also find them here:

Instagram: @Walnuts_Uk

Facebook:@Walnuts.UK

Twitter:@Walnuts_UK

Website: California Walnut.

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Thirdly, Walnut And Cherry Yule Log: Christmas Recipe. So traditional.

Last but not least, California Walnut And Lemon Parsley Spaghetti. So tasty.

Thank you so much for stopping by here today.