Week 41 - Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

Hello, how are we all this week? I can't believe how quickly the weeks are whizzing by & to be honest I've been so busy with the day job there's nothing much exciting been happening! So this week I've decided to stay true to the cake & just share this weeks recipe with you. Oh & by way of a public service announcement, don't forget the clocks go back this Sunday, an extra hour in bed...yey!!

125g butter
200g caster sugar
2 eggs
175g plain flour
1tsp baking powder
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
35g cocoa powder
250ml greek yoghurt
100g raspberries (fresh or frozen)

1. Melt the butter, beat in the sugar then the eggs, finally stir in the yoghurt.

2. Sift in the flour, baking powder, bicarb & cocoa powder & fold the ingredients together.

3. Line a bun tin with paper cases & spoon in the mixture. Finally sprinkle the raspberries over the top of each muffin & bake in the oven at 180c/GM4 for around 20 minutes. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then lift out onto a rack.

I think these are delicious, the sharp raspberries really balance the sweet chocolate & the yoghurt gives them a lovely soft texture. Hope you enjoy them! Don't spook yourselves too much this halloween & I'll see you next week with a bonfire night treat, not strictly cake, but something I've always wanted to have a go at making! Until then, Rebecca x

Week 18 - Mediterranean Muffins

I made it, I've survived my first marathon! Now this may be stating the bleedin obvious, but man alive 26.2 miles is a long way! Although I'd followed the training plan & was feeling ready for it, I don't think anything can prepare you mentally for the challenge. I also underestimated the difference of walking at night, it's all very well training in the Great Park after a good nights sleep & in the sunshine, but in the cold, depth of night, it's tough! That said it was an amazing experience, I have a huge amount of admiration for the Walk the Walk organisation, they have created a fantastic event & have raised a massive amount of money to support the fight against breast cancer. My own fundraising effort far surpassed my expectations & my total currently stands at £776, so thank you to everyone for their support.

I feel like I've consumed a huge amount of sugar over the last few weeks, so I've opted for a savoury recipe this week. I've chosen to use some of my favourite med style ingredients, but there are lots of other options like mozzarella or sun-dried tomatoes, the worlds your lobster!

300g plain flour
1tbsp baking powder
150g halloumi cheese
125ml milk
40ml olive oil
2 eggs
50g olives
2 tomatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt & pepper to taste

1. Sift the flour & baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Grate the halloumi & mix it in with the flour.

2. Lightly beat together the eggs & milk, stir in the olive oil, roughly chop the tomatoes & olives & add them to the liquids along with the oregano & some seasoning.

3. Add the eggy, milky mixture to the flour & stir until all the flour is combined. Line a 12 hole bun tin with paper cases & divide the mixture evenly. Bake in the oven at 190c/GM5 for 30-35 minutes until well risen & golden brown on the top. Leave to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then move to a rack to cool.

I like these best when they're still warm & you could easily pop them back into the oven for 10 minutes to warm them up again. Hope you enjoy this weeks savoury interlude! Next week I'll be digging out another of my mum's old recipes, we have no idea where it came from & have never come across it since, trust me it's a treat!

Also, just wondered if anyone had any tips or suggestions to improve the blog? I'm still new to this (well I've been doing it 18 weeks!) but would be grateful for any advice on how to improve it, or get more people to read it! Have a good week, Rebecca x

Week 1 - Spiced Apple Muffins

So here goes, it's week 1 of my 52 week baking epic! The weather is miserable, so I thought I'd try & warm things up with Spiced Apple Muffins. I love applely cakes, but really can't be bothered to peel & core a pile of apples, so I've used a jar of apple sauce instead. This makes the mixture quite sweet so I've reduced the amount of sugar I'd usually use to make muffins. The apple sauce has given the muffins a really delicious taste & a moist texture. The oats on the top toast in the oven & give a really lovely crunch!

300g plain flour
100g soft brown sugar
1tsp baking powder
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
Good pinch of salt
1tsp mixed spice
250g apple sauce
50ml milk
50g unsalted butter (I think it's ok to use salted if that's what's in the fridge, just don't add the extra pinch)
1 beaten egg
Porridge oats to sprinkle

1. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt & spice.

2. In a separate bowl melt the butter, then mix in the apple sauce, milk & egg. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients & give it a good stir. It's best if you leave it a little lumpy!

3. Line a 12 hole bun tin with paper cases & divide the mixture evenly.

4. Add a sprinkling of oats to the top of each muffin, then bake at 200C/GM7 for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden.

5. Leave them to rest in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out to cool. Or if you're impatient like me, wait approximately 3 minutes then take one out of the tin & enjoy whilst still warm!

Overall I'd say week 1, big tick :-) If anyone else tries this out, let me know what you think...that's assuming anyone is actually reading my baking ramblings!

Till next week...Rebecca