Spices are used to elevate the taste of savoury dishes, but that’s not always the case. Spices work perfectly with desserts; they add a warm and magical flavour that simply lifts your spirit with every bite. Here are 5 recipes that will grantee to spice up the holiday season

1. Honey and nutmeg cupcakes

This heavenly recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and savoury. What better way to start the holiday season with a soft honey cupcake infused with nutmeg to create the perfect holiday treat.

Ingredients (12 servings):

• 125g butter
• ½ cup of sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup milk

For icing:

• 125 g butter
• ¾ cup icing sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• ¼ cup honey

How to make it:

• Gradually add eggs and whisk well.
• Add flour, baking powder and nutmeg and whisk well, then add in milk.
• Spoon into cupcake tray.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Cool on racks.
• To make the icing, whisk butter for 8 minutes until creamy.
• Add icing sugar, milk and honey and whisk for 6-8 minutes until fluffy.
• Add icing on cupcakes and top with extra honey to serve.

 

2. Blueberry cinnamon rolls

Adding the sweet and citrusy flavour of blueberries will simply enrich and elevate this classic recipe. Plus, blueberries are packed with vitamin C and fiber, so they’re the perfect addition to this delicious dessert.

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 3 ½ cups flour
• 1 pack of yeast
• ¼ sugar
• 1 cup milk
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 large egg

Filling:

• 2 tbsp melted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 ½ cup blueberries

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 ½ tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla

How to make it:

• Mix 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
• Heat milk in a microwave and add it to flour mixture with butter and egg. and mix until combined; mix in remaining flour.
• Knead dough for 5 minutes until smooth.
• Place dough in a large bowl coated with non-stick spray and cover with plastic.
• Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 40 minutes.
• Brush dough with melted butter, then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over dough; then top with blueberries.
• Carefully roll dough up into a tight log and pinch edges to seal.
• Slice dough into 18 equal slices.
• Place rolls into baking dish, cover with plastic and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 180°C and bake rolls for about 20 minutes.
• To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl.

 

3. Ginger and cardamom cookies

These super chewy ginger and cardamom cookies are packed with holiday flavour.

Ingredients (3 dozen):

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup chopped candied ginger

How to make it:

• Preheat oven to 180C
• Whisk flour, ground ginger, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cocoa, cardamom, and pepper.
• In a separate bowl mix sugar, vegetable oil, egg, grated fresh ginger until smooth.
• Then add flour mixture until well combined, then add in candied ginger.
• Shape dough into balls and place on baking sheet.
• Bake for 6 to 7 minutes.

 

4. Chili ginger and chocolate brownies

Chili and chocolate? It might sound like an odd combination, but the fiery blast of chili works perfectly with chocolate. You’re in for a delicious treat with this gooey and warm chocolate brownie recipe.

Ingredients (16 servings):

• 180g butter
• 180 g dark chocolate
• 80g flour
• 60g cocoa powder
• 3 tsp chili
• 3 eggs
• 250g sugar
• 1 tsp fresh ginger

How to make it:

• Preheat oven to 170C
• Melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
• After the mixture has cooled down add in flour, cocoa powder, salt and chilli powder.
• In a separate bowl whisk eggs and sugar, then pour in the chocolate and butter mixture and add in the fresh ginger.
• Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until a crust forms on top of the brownies.

 

5. Rose water bread pudding

This dessert is perfect to keep you cosy on a cold winter night. This classic dessert with a twist is guaranteed to satisfy your family’s sweet cravings.

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 bread loaf
• 200g butter
• 250ml cream
• 100g sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp cardamom powder
• 90g milk

How to make it:

• Preheat oven to 160C.
• Whisk egg rose water and cardamom powder.
• Melt cream and sugar, then place into the egg mixture.
• Melt butter and dip in slices of bread, then place in ramekin.
• Gently pour the custard mixture.
• Place the ramekin in a larger oven dish and fill this dish with water.
• Place in the oven and bake for 15-25 minutes.

With the holiday season just around the corner, head to Waterfront Market and explore the wide array of aromatic and fresh spices and nuts perfect for any holiday recipe.