Super Quick and Easy: Christmassy Muffins

These muffins are so simple to make, great for kids to help with.  You can vary the dried fruit according to taste, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown for a richer taste, and use cinnamon instead of mixed spice if you want.  I sent some of these muffins to my daughters primary school for their class parties and the were a hit with kids and adults alike. They also make great gifts, especially the last minute kind LOL They're also super quick to make if you have people come around for a cuppa, on the table in just over 30 minutes, if you're quick.

Dust the muffins with icing sugar for simple decoration, or I like to add a swirl of cinnamon buttercream on the top of each one - especially if they're a gift.

2 cups self raising flour

1 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon

1/2 cup light or dark soft brown sugar, lightly packed

1 unpeeled eating apple, grated

1/4 cup sultanas or raisins

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Zest of an orange, finely grated

80ml oil

2 free range eggs

250ml milk

Preheat your oven to 180C and line a regular size 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases. If you can be bothered faffing, sift the flour and mixed spice into a large bowl.  If like me you are manically busy just put the self raising flour and mixed spice into a bowl and stir it around a bit so it's mixed together. 

Add the brown sugar, grated apple, sultanas or raisins, dried cranberries and orange zest to the flour and mixed spice or cinnamon.  Mix well to combine. Whisk the oil, eggs, milk and vanilla together.

Pour the wet ingredients into the flour and fruit mixture and mix until just combined. Spoon into the paper cases in the muffin tin. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre of the muffins comes out clean.

 

Pack up the muffins as gifts or put them on a plate to be devoured by your family and/or guests.

 

 
Not that I'm admitting to anything, but . . . . . these muffins are fabulous eaten warm with a cuppa when they're fresh from the oven.