Cranberry and Apple Muffins
Soft, moist and delicious - these would make a create Christmas treat.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- ½ cup (60g) dried cranberries (sometimes called craisins)
- ½ cup boiling water
- 140 g pot (½ cup) apple puree (see recipe)
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 large egg
- ¼-½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- ¾ cup wholemeal flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat Oven to 390°F - 410°F fan bake. Place rack just below middle of oven.
- In a large bowl, pour the boiling water over the dried cranberries and leave them to stand for about 2 minutes to plump up the fruit. Without draining away the remaining water, add the flavoured or plain puree, the oil and the egg, and mix well with a fork. Stir in the chopped nuts, if you are adding them.
- Measure the flours into another bowl, or suitable container. Take care not to use more than you should. (Stir the flours in their original container, then spoon it lightly into the measures, without any shaking or banging.) Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix the lot with a fork. Sprinkle this mixture over the liquid ingredients and fold them together stopping as soon as there are no pockets or streaks of flour. (Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the mixture looks dry when nearly all the flour has been folded in.)
- Using two large spoons, spoon the mixture into 12 regular-sized muffin pans, well sprayed with Chef Mate Canola non-stick spray.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned and the centres spring back when pressed.
- Stand in their pans for 2-4 minutes, or until the muffins may be lifted out without breaking them.
- Leave the muffins plain, dust with icing sugar, drizzle with lemon glaze or coat with crunch lemon topping as soon as you have taken them from their pans.
- Server at any time of the day with tea of coffee or serve with hot or cold sliced ham or turkey as a part of a festive meal.
Notes
VARIATION: For Sultana and Apple Muffins, replace the cranberries with sultanas. Pour boiling water over them and proceed in the same way.