Lip-smacking Simnel Muffins

  • 60
Time

Benefits
  • Time Together
  • Bring Joy

Participants
  • One to One or Group Activity

What you need

  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)

Intro

The sights, smells and textures of baking can be a wonderful way to evoke memories, and Simnel cake has the added bonus of being associated with special days, like Easter and Mothering Sunday. But why wait until then? These delicious Simnel muffins can be devoured any time and are easier and quicker to prepare than cakes.

This recipe will make 12 light fruity treats, topped with melt-in-the-mouth chocolate eggs.

Top tip

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

The Activity

  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
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