We made Christmas stones the other afternoon (can you guess which ones the girls did?). It was a great way to spend a cold and windy afternoon and really got us into the mood. They are currently serving as a table runner decoration.
These muffins were a house warming gift as the flavours seemed appropriately seasonal. You could even swap the dried cherries for dried cranberries to up the Christmasiness. I think I will be making them again over the next few weeks, maybe even for Christmas morning?
Spiced apple & dried cherry muffins
175g of apple peeled and finely chopped (the original recipe calls for a bramley, but any variety will do)
75g dried cherries
75g golden sugar
1 large egg, beaten
150ml milk
75ml oil
250g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
generous sprinkle of mixed spice (at least 2 tsp)
pinch of salt
demerara sugar to sprinkle on top
Heat oven to 375F (190C). Add peeled & chopped apple to bowl with all but 12 of the cherries, golden sugar, egg, milk & oil. Mix together. Sift in flour, mixed spice, baking powder & salt. Fold the ingredients together ensure all the flour is mixed in but try to keep it light. Divide into 12 muffin cases then top with a cherry & a sprinkle of demerara sugar. Bake for 25mins until golden. Turn out onto wire rack.
I think this is the earliest we have ever got a tree, fingers crossed it hasn't dropped all of its pesky needles by the 25th....I love getting out the tree decorations, its like seeing old friends again, some of them perky and pleased to be on show, others a little tired and a bit droopy. Our tree is super sized in comparison to our UK version, I think we need to get some more decorations, what do you think?
Right then, enough blogging on with the "real" jobs - making mince pies & the Christmas cards.
for some reason the tree looks small with the girls in front of it, its nearly 8 foot tall you know!
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