Mini Paleo Christmas Cakes

Who can resist the smell of baking throughout December? So try these super-healthy individual treats for the perfect end to your Christmas feast.

Ingredients:
250 g pitted dates, chopped
3/4 cup dried goji berries
juice and finely grated zest of 1 orange
1/3 cup brandy
100 g butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cup brazil nuts, finely chopped and toasted
1 cup macadamias, finely chopped and toasted
2 teaspoons mixed spice
4 eggs, at room temperature, lightly whisked
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 cup coconut flour
36 whole blanched almonds

Related: Healthy Christmas pudding recipe

Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a 12-hole muffin pan with paper patty cases.
Put the dates, goji berries, orange juice and zest, and brandy in a small saucepan over a medium heat and bring to the boil.
Boil for 2 minutes, or until the brandy has reduced by half and the dates have slightly softened.

Transfer to a large, heat- proof bowl and set aside for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Add all the remaining ingredients to the date mixture in the bowl and mix well to combine.
Spoon evenly into the patty cases. Top each with 3 almonds, then bake for 25 minutes, or until golden.

Related: How Scott Gooding starts his day

When they’re cooked, a skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe from Clean Living: Eat Clean All Year, by Luke Hines and Scott Gooding ($29.99), published by Hachette Australia.