Christmas muffins

Make these zesty, spiced muffins ahead of Christmas Day, then begin the festivities by handing them out while everyone opens their gifts under the tree

Prep:20 mins
Cook:30 mins

Serves 12
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 342
fat 14g
saturates 8g
carbs 48g
sugars 0g
fibre 1g
protein 5g
salt 0.6g

Ingredients

125g unsalted butter
250g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
200g golden caster sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
¼ nutmeg, freshly grated
150g natural yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
1 orange, zested and juiced
150g chocolate (white, milk or dark), chopped
50g dried cranberries
50g icing sugar
2 tbsp pearl sugar (optional)

Method

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases.
Melt the butter in the microwave or a small pan over a low heat, then set aside to cool for 10 mins. Meanwhile, mix the flour, bicarb, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl with a pinch of salt.
Add the yogurt, vanilla and eggs to the cooled butter and mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients along with the orange zest, chocolate and dried cranberries. Mix well until there are no pockets of flour.
Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases, then bake for 30 mins until risen and golden. Check they’re cooked by inserting a cocktail stick into the centre of one of the muffins (choose one in the centre of the tray). If any wet cake batter clings to the skewer, return to the oven for 5 mins.
Remove the muffins from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for at least 10 mins. Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with enough of the orange juice to make a loose icing. Brush the orange glaze over each muffin, then sprinkle with a little pearl sugar, if using. Leave to cool before eating. Will keep in an airtight container for up to five days, or frozen for up to two months.

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