Tea Breads, Buns And Muffins Recipes - Apple and Cranberry Muffins

Ingredients

• 50g/4 tbsp butter

• 1 egg

• 90g/1/2 cup caster sugar

• grated rind of 1 orange

• 120ml/1/2 cup fresh orange juice

• 150g/1 1/4 cup plain flour

• 5ml/1 tsp baking powder

• 25ml/1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 5ml/1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2.5ml/1/2 twp grated nutmeg

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp mixed spice

• 1.5ml/1/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1.5ml/1/4 tsp salt

• 1-2 eating apples

• 175g/1 1/2 cups cranberries

• 50g/1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• icing sugar, for dusting (optional)

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180'C/350"F/Gas 4. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or use paper cases. Melt the butter over a gentle heat. Set aside to cool.

2. Place the egg in a mixing bowl and whisk lightly. Add the melted butter and whisk to combine, then add the sugar, orange rind and juice. Whisk to blend.

3. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, spices and salt. Quarter, core and peel the apples. With a sharp knife, chop coarsely.

4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. With a spoon, stir until just blended. Add the apples, cranberries and walnuts and stir to blend.

5. Fill the cups three-quarters full and bake until the the tops spring back when touched lightly, about 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar before serving, if desired.