Very Merry Christmassy Muffins

This is a very easy and satisfying muffin recipe which you can enjoy anytime of the year.
However, somehow, the flavour of almond, orange and dried fruit creates a very Christmassy aroma.
It's a great treat coming back from a brisk wintry walk to have these with a warm drink of coffee, tea or even mulled wine. :)
These are best as they are still warm. But they can be reheated by oven or microwave.

Ingredients (for 10 muffins)   

• 1 egg
• 60ml of veg oil 

• 125ml of milk

• 100g caster sugar 

• 200g self-raising flour 

• 75g dried cranberries 

• 75g raisins

• 50g of mixed peel 

• Zest of half an orange

• 1/2 tsp of almond extract 

• A handful of flaked almonds 

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a muffin tray with 10 cases.
2. Whisk the egg until it is well combined, then add milk, oil and sugar and continue to whisk.
3. Using a sieve, add the self-raising flour, cranberries, raisins, mixed peel, orange zest and almond extract to the egg and gently mix in.
4. Pour the batter into cases and top with some flaked almonds. Then bake for around 20 minutes until they have risen and are lightly golden.
5. Allow them to cool and then dust the top of the muffins with some icing sugar. 

Spiced Fruit Muffins. Christmassy!

Feeling a bit Christmassy? These muffins have a hint of winter festive taste. Ginger, cinnamon and dried fruit are the main ingredients for Christmas cake. But these muffins are much quicker to make. When the dried fruit are soaked overnight and are plump and juicy, it's ready to bake. If you soak the dried fruit in brandy or sherry, the muffins would be even more Christmasy. I decorated the muffins with cinnamon icing sugar to spice them up.

Ingredients 

• 200g plain flour
• 100g sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 100ml milk
• 50ml vegetable oil  
• 1 egg
• 1 dash of lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 100g dried Fruit (20g mix peal + 80g mix dried fruit) soaked in 50ml of warm water (preferably overnight)
• zest of 1 orange   
• cinnamon icing (cinnamon, icing sugar and water mixture to decorate the muffins) 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200 C / Gas 6 and add paper cases to a muffin tray.
2. Measure out dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Measure milk and oil in a large measuring jug. Add egg and whisk well.
4. Add the wet mixture (3) into the dry mixture (2).  Stir until just combined. The mixture will be lumpy. Do NOT over mix!
5. Gently fold in soaked mixed fruit.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.