Lip-smacking Simnel Muffins

1. Muffin tin and 12 x muffin cases
2. 250g of mixed dried fruit
3. Grated zest and juice of 1 medium orange
4. 175g softened butter
5. 175g golden caster sugar
6. 3 beaten eggs
7. 300g self-raising flour
8. 1tsp mixed spice
9. ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
10. 5 tbsp milk
11. 175g marzipan
12. 200g icing sugar
13. 2tbsp orange juice for mixing
14. Bag of chocolate mini eggs (about 36)

1. Divide the marzipan into 12 pieces, roll into balls and flatten out to the size of the muffin cases
2. Put the dried fruit, orange zest and juice into a bowl and microwave on medium for 2 minutes (if you don’t have a microwave the mix will need to soak for 1 hour)
3. Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas Mark 4
4. Mix the butter, sugar, eggs and flour, then add the spices and milk and beat for about 3-5 minutes until the mix is light and fluffy
5. Add the fruit to the mixture and stir well
6. Place the muffin cases into the muffin tin, then fill each case halfway with the mixture
7. Place a flattened piece of marzipan in each muffin case
8. Spoon more mixture on to cover the marzipan and fill the cases
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the muffins rise and are golden and firm to the touch
10. While the muffins cool, place the icing sugar and orange juice into a bowl and mix to a thick consistency
11. Drizzle this over the cooled muffins and top off with a 2 or 3 chocolate mini eggs
12. Leave to set for as long as you can, then enjoy with a well-earned cup of tea

Measure out and label all the ingredients at the start to allow your baker to be more independent.