Spiced gingerbread christmas light cakes

‘We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Now bring us some figgy pudding, now bring us some figgy pudding, now bring us some figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer.’

You'll recognise those lyrics from the classic Christmas song ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ and a common theme throughout that song is figgy pudding. I don't actually like figgy pudding and to be honest, I'm not sure many people actually know what figgy pudding is. However, there are plenty more yummy puddings and treats that you can have at Christmas. Over the next few articles, I'm going to share my top 3 Christmas desserts with you. I will give you step by step instructions and maybe you can try making one for your family this Christmas.

Today's dessert: Spiced Gingerbread Christmas Light Cakes.

Spice is a popular trend at Christmas time, whether it's pumpkin spice, ginger or cinnamon. I found this recipe from Zoella on YouTube after she did a video making these cakes. I tried making these for the first time last year and they were delicious. They're quite time consuming and messy, but very cute and fun.

You will need:
For the cake

• 75g unsalted butter
  
• 100g caster sugar
  
• 125ml black treacle
  
• 1 large egg
  
• 1 large egg yolk
  
• 175g all purpose flour
  
• 1tsp cocoa powder, ground ginger and ground cinnamon
  
• 1/2tsp ground nutmeg and ground allspice
  
• 1/4tsp salt
  
• 1tsp baking powder
  
• 125ml milk
  

For the buttercream:

• 120g butter
  
• 200g icing sugar
  
• 1tsp vanilla essence
  
• 2tbsp milk
  

For decoration:

• M&Ms (crunchy, chocolate or peanut butter - whichever you prefer.)
  
• Tubes of coloured icing
  

1. First of all, preheat the oven to 175°c/350°f/Gas Mark 4. While it's heating, cream the butter and the sugar in a bowl, followed by the treacle, the egg yolk and the other egg
   
2. In a different bowl, mix the flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder, salt and all the spices.
   
3. Dissolve the baking soda in 125ml of hot milk.
   
4. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar and slowly pour in the milk and baking soda mixture.
   
5. Bake for 20 minutes and allow to cool.
   
6. Cream the butter for the buttercream until creamy and smooth, then gradually add the icing sugar until fluffy.
   
7. Add the vanilla and milk and cream it until combined.
   
8. Pipe the buttercream on to the cool cakes in a swirly rose design.
   
9. Using the tube of icing, draw a line following the swirl.
   
10. Add the M&Ms on top of the line with gaps in between so it looks like a string of Christmas lights.
    

If you make these delicious treats, please post a photo on social media and tag us in it. We'd love to see it!

Our social media is:
Twitter: @teenswithexp
Facebook: Teenagers with Experience
Instagram: @teenswithexperience

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

​Kenzie