Irresistible Fruit Cake Muffins: A Modern Twist on a Classic Recipe
Forget everything you thought you knew about fruit cake! These irresistible Fruit Cake Muffins are a truly delectable and fresh take on a holiday classic that will appeal to everyone, even the skeptics. Far from the dense, overly-sweet bricks of tradition, our homemade fruit cake muffins offer a light, moist, and wonderfully fruity experience that’s perfect for any time of year.
Fruit cake often sparks strong opinions – you either love it or you don’t. But get ready for a change of heart, because this easy fruit cake muffin recipe is designed to convert even the most staunch fruit cake critics. These incredible homemade fruit cake muffins boast a perfect balance of softness and chewiness, packed with vibrant fruit flavors and just the right amount of sweetness to complement your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Whether you’re looking for a delightful breakfast treat, a satisfying snack, or a unique dessert, these moist fruit cake muffins are a fantastic choice. Baking a batch is a simple way to introduce a beloved classic in a new, approachable format that everyone will adore. Say goodbye to fruit cake prejudices and hello to a new favorite with these delightful dried fruit muffins!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Fruit Cake Muffin Recipe
This isn’t just another muffin recipe; it’s a game-changer for anyone who has ever shied away from traditional fruit cake. Here’s why these delightful fruit cake muffins deserve a spot in your baking repertoire:
- Modern Appeal: Unlike traditional fruit cake, these muffins are light, moist, and approachable, making them a hit with modern palates and perfect for any occasion.
- Quick & Easy: With minimal prep and a short baking time, you can have fresh, homemade fruit cake muffins ready in under 30 minutes, ideal for busy mornings or unexpected cravings.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The thoughtful combination of naturally sweet dried figs, tart dried cranberries, and bright orange zest creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting.
- Versatile Treat: Ideal for a delicious breakfast, a satisfying coffee break snack, or a delightful light dessert, these muffins fit seamlessly into any part of your day.
- Incredibly Moist: Made with oil instead of butter, these fruit cake muffins are exceptionally moist and tender, ensuring a delightful crumb that stays fresh longer.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Even those who claim not to like fruit cake will find themselves reaching for a second one of these delightful mini fruit cakes, thanks to their irresistible taste and texture.
🥘 Essential Ingredients for Moist Fruit Cake Muffins
Crafting the perfect fruit cake muffin requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that soft, chewy, and flavorful texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need for these delicious homemade fruit cake muffins:
- Eggs: More than just a binder, eggs contribute significantly to the richness, structure, and body of these fruit cake muffins. Always opt for fresh eggs; a simple test is to gently drop an egg into a glass of water – fresh eggs will sink, while older ones tend to float. Using room-temperature eggs helps them incorporate better into the batter, leading to a lighter texture.
- Granulated Sugar: This common sweetener is key not only for providing sweetness but also for contributing to the delightful chewy texture that sets these muffins apart.
- Muscovado or Turbinado Sugar: This is where the depth of flavor comes in! These unrefined sugars impart a wonderfully complex, caramel-like note, enhancing the fruity muffins with an irresistible warmth that traditional white sugar simply can’t match. They add an extra layer of deliciousness.
- Milk: Whole milk is recommended for its richness, which contributes to a tender crumb. However, feel free to use lactose-free milk or your preferred plant-based milk (like almond or soy milk) as a suitable alternative without compromising on the texture of these delicious fruit cake muffins. Ensure it’s at room temperature.
- Sunflower or Canola Oil: The secret to incredibly moist muffins without butter! A neutral plant-based oil adds richness and ensures a consistently tender, soft crumb that stays fresh longer. It also contributes to the muffin’s light texture.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is essential for giving these fruit cake bites their signature light and airy texture, ensuring a perfect rise every time. Always check its freshness for best results.
- Fresh Orange Juice and Orange Zest: These are non-negotiable for vibrant flavor! Freshly squeezed orange juice provides a natural sweetness and tang, while the zest infuses the muffins with an aromatic citrus brightness that truly makes them shine. Always zest your oranges before juicing them for maximum flavor extraction.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract harmonizes all the sweet and fruity notes, adding a smooth, sweet, and comforting undertone that completes the flavor profile of these homemade fruit cake muffins. Use a good quality pure vanilla extract.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our muffin batter. All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure, creating a balanced and tender muffin when combined with the wet ingredients. For best results, measure by weight if possible.
- Dried Figs and Dried Cranberries: The stars of the show! Sweet, chewy dried figs provide a delightful texture and natural sweetness, while tart dried cranberries offer a brilliant contrast, cutting through the richness and adding a burst of fruity tang. This pairing is what gives these fruit cake muffins their signature flavor and is essential for authentic taste. Ensure they are finely chopped for even distribution.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: This classic spice duo provides a warm, comforting, and subtly sweet-spicy aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the dried fruits and orange, evoking a hint of holiday nostalgia in every bite. They truly round out the flavor profile of these incredible fruit cake muffins. Freshly grated nutmeg offers a superior flavor.
For precise measurements and quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided below.
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Fruit Cake Muffins
Whipping up a batch of these delicious fruit cake muffins is surprisingly simple. Follow these easy steps for a perfect bake every time, and enjoy the process of making these delightful treats:
- Step One: Prepare the Wet Ingredients (Creaming Method)
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they are light and frothy. Gradually add both the granulated sugar and the Muscovado (or Turbinado) sugar spoonful by spoonful, continuing to mix until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This creaming step is crucial for incorporating air and achieving a tender crumb in your fruit cake muffins. Aim for 3-5 minutes of mixing. - Step Two: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
To the fluffy egg and sugar mixture, add the milk, sunflower or canola oil, vanilla extract, fresh orange zest, and orange juice. Mix these wet ingredients gently until just combined. Next, incorporate the all-purpose flour, finely chopped dried figs, dried cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder. Mix at medium speed until all ingredients are just incorporated and no dry streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop gluten, leading to tough and dense muffins. - Step Three: Fill the Muffin Cups
Preheat your oven to 200 °C (400 °F). Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease it thoroughly to prevent sticking. Using a large ice cream scoop or a ¼ cup measuring cup, evenly distribute the fruit cake muffin batter into the prepared cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full. This ensures proper rising and prevents overflow, giving you perfectly shaped muffins. - Step Four: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the muffin pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The delicious aroma filling your kitchen will be an excellent indicator that your muffins are nearly ready! - Step Five: Cool and Enjoy!
Carefully remove the fully baked fruit cake muffins from the oven. Allow them to cool in the muffin pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. While they are tempting to eat immediately, letting them cool slightly allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly. Enjoy your homemade fruit cake muffins with your favorite beverage, perhaps a warm cup of coffee or tea!
✨ Expert Tips for Baking the Best Fruit Cake Muffins
Achieving bakery-quality fruit cake muffins at home is easier than you think with a few insider tips. These simple tricks will help ensure your homemade fruit cake muffins are perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful every time:
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: This is paramount for tender muffins. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until just combined. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine; overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough, dense, and chewy muffin rather than a light and airy one.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and milk at room temperature emulsify better with the other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and a lighter, fluffier texture in your finished muffins. Plan ahead by taking them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking.
- Always Zest Before Juicing: This simple rule makes a world of difference. It’s much easier to zest an entire orange before you cut and juice it, ensuring you get all those flavorful aromatic oils from the peel.
- Chop Dried Fruits Evenly: Ensure your dried figs and cranberries are chopped into small, consistent pieces. This helps them distribute evenly throughout the batter, ensuring every bite of your fruit cake muffin contains a delightful burst of fruit. Even chopping also prevents muffins from becoming too heavy in one spot.
- Resist the Urge to Peek: Try to avoid opening the oven door during the first 15 minutes of baking. A sudden drop in temperature can cause the muffins to collapse, preventing them from achieving their ideal rise.
- Test for Doneness Accurately: The toothpick test is your best friend. Insert a clean wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached (not wet batter), they’re ready. Overbaking can lead to dry muffins.
- Cool Muffins Properly: While warm muffins are incredibly tempting, allowing them to cool on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes (or completely) is crucial. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy due to trapped steam and helps set their structure and flavor, enhancing their deliciousness.
- Enhance Presentation: For an extra touch of beauty and flavor, sprinkle a few extra dried cranberries or a pinch of orange zest on top of the fruit cake muffins just before placing them in the oven. This adds visual appeal and an extra layer of flavor.
☕ The Perfect Pairings for Your Fruit Cake Muffins
These versatile fruit cake muffins are a delightful treat on their own, but they truly shine when paired with the right beverage. Here are some fantastic options to elevate your muffin experience, whether for breakfast, a snack, or dessert:
- Homemade Caramel Milk {2 Ingredients}: A sweet, creamy complement that enhances the warm, fruity flavors of the muffins.
- Lumumba Hot Chocolate with Rum: For a luxurious and indulgent pairing, especially perfect during cooler months or as an evening treat.
- Immune Boosting Saffron Water: A lighter, aromatic choice that offers a refreshing and unique contrast to the sweetness of the muffins.
- Candied Violets with Sparkling Wine: An elegant and festive option for a special brunch or a celebratory occasion.
- Strawberry White Chocolate Cocoa: A creamy, fruity drink that echoes the muffin’s sweet notes and adds a delightful twist.
- Green Mimosa: A bright and bubbly pairing, perfect for a sunny morning brunch or a lighthearted celebration.
- Scotch Coffee: A robust and warming choice for those who enjoy a hint of whiskey with their sweet treats.
- Cointreau Coffee: The orange liqueur in the coffee beautifully complements the orange zest and dried fruits in the muffins, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
- White Hot Chocolate {with Chocolate Chips}: A rich, sweet, and comforting beverage that makes these fruit cake muffins feel even more indulgent.
- Boozy Orange Milkshake: A fun, creamy, and zesty pairing for a decadent and playful treat, especially on a warmer day.
- Your Favorite Coffee or Tea: Sometimes, the simplest pairing is the best. A freshly brewed cup of hot coffee or a comforting black tea perfectly highlights the muffins’ flavors without overpowering them.
- Fresh Apple Juice: For a non-alcoholic, refreshing option, the crisp sweetness of apple juice provides a wonderful counterpoint to the citrus and spice of these fruit cake muffins.
🌡️ Storage Tips for Fresh Fruit Cake Muffins
These homemade fruit cake muffins are so delicious, you might not have any leftovers! But if you do, storing them properly ensures they remain fresh and delightful for days. They make an excellent grab-and-go breakfast or a quick, satisfying snack.
To maintain their optimal freshness and moist texture, always allow the muffins to cool completely on a wire rack before storing. Once fully cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days, where they will retain their soft, moist texture. For an extra tip to keep them super moist, consider adding a slice of fresh bread to the container; it helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the muffins from drying out.
Alternatively, these fruit cake muffins freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prep, batch baking, or enjoying a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes. To freeze, wrap each individual muffin tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, then place the wrapped muffins into a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, or gently warm them in the microwave for a quick, comforting treat.
👩🏻🍳 Dietary Adjustments & Ingredient Substitutions
This fruit cake muffin recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to various dietary needs or simply experiment with different flavors. Here are some popular substitutions and adjustments you can make:
Gluten-Free Fruit Cake Muffins
Making these delicious treats gluten-free is entirely possible! While the original recipe uses all-purpose wheat flour, you can easily create a gluten-free version. To replace traditional wheat flour, you typically need a blend of:
- Two parts gluten-free flour: Options include buckwheat flour, amaranth flour, millet flour, quinoa flour, almond flour, soy flour, or chickpea flour. A common and effective blend might be a combination of almond flour and rice flour for a balanced texture.
- One part gluten-free starch flour: Consider potato starch, rice starch (if not already used as flour), cornstarch, or tapioca starch for lightness and a tender crumb.
- One binder: Gluten-free baking often benefits greatly from a binder to mimic gluten’s elasticity and provide structure. Good choices include ground chia seeds (mixed with water to form a gel), ground flax seeds (also used as an “egg” substitute), locust bean gum, guar gum, additional tapioca flour, agar-agar, or an extra egg if your recipe allows. Experimentation may be needed to find your perfect blend, but using a high-quality, pre-mixed all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (like King Arthur’s All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour) often simplifies this process, yielding delicious results.
Other Ingredient Swaps
- Milk Alternatives: As mentioned in the ingredients section, any plant-based milk (such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk) or lactose-free milk works perfectly if you need to avoid dairy. They will provide a similar moisture content.
- Oil Substitutions: While sunflower and canola oil are great neutral choices for their moistening properties, you can also use other neutral-flavored oils like vegetable oil or a light olive oil. If you enjoy a subtle tropical flavor, melted coconut oil can also be used, but be aware it will impart its distinct taste to the fruit cake muffins.
- Sugar Adjustments: If you prefer a less sweet muffin, you can slightly reduce the amount of granulated sugar by 1-2 tablespoons without significantly impacting the texture. For an even richer, deeper caramel-like flavor, you can increase the proportion of muscovado or turbinado sugar relative to the granulated sugar.
🍇 Exciting Variations for Your Fruit Cake Muffins
While the original fruit cake muffin recipe is fantastic as is, don’t hesitate to get creative and customize it to your personal taste. Experimenting with different fruits and flavor enhancers can lead to wonderfully new and exciting variations of these delicious muffins!
Fruit Swaps & Additions
If you’re not a fan of the tartness of cranberries, or simply want to try something new, here are some ideas for diversifying the fruit in your muffins:
- Raisins instead of Cranberries: For a slightly sweeter and less tart flavor profile, entirely swap the dried cranberries for an equal amount of plump raisins. This provides a classic, comforting sweetness that many adore.
- Half & Half Dried Fruits: Can’t decide between tart and sweet? Use half dried cranberries and half raisins for a perfectly balanced sweet-tart profile in your fruit cake muffins. You get the best of both worlds!
- Dates instead of Figs: Dried dates offer a rich, caramel-like sweetness and a softer, chewier texture. They are a wonderful alternative to figs and pair beautifully with the other flavors, adding a distinct depth.
- Mixed Dried Fruits: Feel free to experiment with a medley of your favorite dried fruits. Finely chopped apricots, dried cherries, blueberries, or even a mix of tropical dried fruits like candied pineapple and mango can add unique dimensions and exotic flavors to your fruit cake muffins. Just ensure they are finely chopped for even distribution and uniform baking.
- Citrus Peel Mix: Incorporate finely chopped candied orange or lemon peel for an extra burst of citrusy sweetness and chewy texture.
Boozy & Spicy Kicks
Want to elevate your fruit cake muffins to a more grown-up, sophisticated treat, reminiscent of traditional holiday fruit cake? Consider these “spiked” variations:
- Liqueur Infusion: For a truly decadent flavor, swap out a portion of the vanilla extract (or even a tablespoon of the milk or oil) for an orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau), a dark rum, or even a good quality brandy. This adds a wonderful note of warmth, complexity, and festive cheer that truly cannot be beaten, making these muffins feel extra special. Start with 1-2 tablespoons and adjust to your preference.
- Rum Extract: For a non-alcoholic option that still delivers a similar flavor profile, use rum extract instead of actual alcohol. It provides that classic warmth without the alcohol content.
- Extra Spice: If you love warm, aromatic spices, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger, allspice, or cloves alongside the cinnamon and nutmeg for an even richer, more intensely aromatic fruit cake muffin. A tiny dash of cardamom can also add an intriguing Middle Eastern note.
🍽 Essential Equipment for Baking Fruit Cake Muffins
Having the right tools makes the baking process smoother and more enjoyable, ensuring your fruit cake muffins turn out perfectly every time. Here’s a list of essential equipment you’ll need to create these delicious homemade fruit cake muffins with ease:
- Muffin Pan and Liners: A standard 12-cup muffin pan is ideal for this recipe. Don’t forget the muffin liners! They make cleanup a breeze and can add a festive or decorative touch with bright colors or appealing patterns to your fruity treats. Alternatively, you can grease and flour the muffin tin directly.
- Electric Mixer (Hand or Stand) with Whisk Attachment: An electric mixer is highly recommended for efficiently beating the eggs and sugars until fluffy, which is a key step for light muffins. While possible to mix by hand with a whisk, an electric mixer saves significant time and ensures a consistently lighter texture.
- Large Ice Cream Scoop or ¼ Cup Measuring Cup: This tool is perfect for neatly portioning the batter into muffin cups. It helps ensure evenly sized muffins and a cleaner baking process.
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: Essential for safely and efficiently chopping the dried figs and cranberries into smaller, uniform pieces, and for zesting/juicing your fresh oranges. A paring knife or a chef’s knife will work well for these tasks.
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least one large mixing bowl for preparing the batter. Having a separate smaller bowl for wet ingredients can also be helpful.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate ingredient measurements are crucial for successful baking. Ensure you have a full set for both dry and wet ingredients.
- Zester or Microplane: For finely grating the orange zest, which releases the most aromatic oils and infuses maximum citrus flavor into your muffins without any bitter white pith.
- Citrus Juicer: To easily extract fresh orange juice, ensuring you get the full, bright flavor.
- Wire Cooling Rack: This piece of equipment is crucial for allowing your baked fruit cake muffins to cool properly. It ensures air circulation around them, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy due to trapped steam.
🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions About Fruit Cake Muffins
Fruit cake muffins are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day! They are a fantastic option for a quick and satisfying breakfast, a delicious accompaniment to a lunchtime meal, or a perfect sweet snack in the afternoon. For a delightful light dessert, they hit just the right spot, especially when slightly warmed. Whatever the occasion, pairing these amazing muffins with a warm cup of coffee, a robust black tea, or a festive hot chocolate creates a perfect mash-up of sweet, fruity, and bold flavors. If you prefer a cool drink, crisp apple juice offers a sweet contrast to the citrusy notes of the muffins, or simply enjoy them with a glass of cold milk for a comforting classic treat.
As written, these fruity muffins are not naturally gluten-free as they use all-purpose wheat flour. However, you can easily adapt the recipe to be gluten-free. Simply substitute the regular flour with a good quality all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. Many brands, like King Arthur All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour, perform excellently in muffin recipes, yielding delicious results without the gluten. Refer to the “Dietary Adjustments & Ingredient Substitutions” section for more detailed tips on gluten-free baking.
For this fruit cake muffin recipe, it’s generally not necessary to soak the dried figs and cranberries. The muffin batter is quite moist with the oil and milk, which will help plump up the fruits during baking, making them tender and juicy. However, if your dried fruits feel particularly hard or dry, a quick 10-15 minute soak in warm water, orange juice, or even a splash of rum (then drained well) can make them extra tender and flavorful. Just ensure they are well-drained and patted dry before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture.
While this recipe specifically uses oil for its superior moisture and tender crumb (which oil excels at providing in muffins), you can substitute melted butter. However, keep in mind that butter tends to make muffins slightly denser and changes the overall texture, often resulting in a richer but less consistently moist muffin. If you choose to use butter, ensure it’s melted and slightly cooled before adding it to the wet ingredients to prevent it from scrambling the eggs or affecting the batter consistency.
For taller, beautifully domed fruit cake muffins, there are a few tricks you can employ. First, ensure your baking powder is fresh (test by adding a pinch to hot water; it should fizz vigorously). Second, starting the baking process in a hot oven (like 400°F / 200°C as specified) for the first few minutes can create a quick burst of steam, which helps the muffins rise rapidly before the crust sets. After about 5-7 minutes, you can reduce the oven temperature if desired to ensure even cooking. Additionally, don’t overfill your muffin cups; sticking to about two-thirds full is usually ideal for preventing overflow while still allowing for a good rise.
Other Delicious Recipes for You to Try
- Banana Oatmeal Muffins {three ingredients}
- Apple Yogurt Breakfast Granola
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon Granola
- Easy Rice Pudding Breakfast
- Apricot Compote
- Apple Compote
- Biscoff Granola
- Lavender Lemon Muffins
- Red Velvet Cupcakes without Buttermilk
- Baileys Salted Caramel Cupcakes
- Strawberry Cobbler
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📖 Recipe
Fruit Cake Muffins
Nora
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Equipment
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Muffin mold
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Muffin paper cups
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Hand or stand mixer with whisk attachment
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Ice cream scoop large
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Saucepan
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Sharp knife
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Chopping board
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Cooling Rack
Ingredients
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- ¼ cup Muscovado or turbinado sugar dark brown sugar for a more intense flavor
- ⅛ cup Milk
- ½ cup Sunflower or canola oil
- 2-3 tablespoon Orange juice
- Orange zest from ½ orange
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup Flour
- ¼ cup Dried figs
- ⅛ cup Dried cranberry or raisins
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ tablespoon Baking powder
Instructions
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Add 1 Egg to a bowl and beat it with a mixer. Add ¼ cup Granulated sugar and ¼ cup Muscovado or turbinado sugar by the spoonful, till they become fluffy (mix for 3-5 min).1 Egg, ¼ cup Granulated sugar, ¼ cup Muscovado or turbinado sugar
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Then add ⅛ cup Milk, ½ cup Sunflower or canola oil, 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract, and Orange zest , 2-3 tablespoon Orange juice and mix a bit, then add ½ cup Flour ¼ cup Dried figs (chopped), ⅛ cup Dried cranberry, ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg , and ½ tablespoon Baking powder, and combine everything well with the mixer on medium speed.⅛ cup Milk, ½ cup Sunflower or canola oil, 2-3 tablespoon Orange juice, Orange zest, 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract, ½ cup Flour, ¼ cup Dried figs, ⅛ cup Dried cranberry, ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg, ½ tablespoon Baking powder
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Put the muffin cups on a baking tray or in a muffin rack and fill ⅔ with the muffin batter. As the batter is very runny, I used a large ice cream scoop to scoop the batter into the muffin tins.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C / 400 °F for 20 minutes.
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Once baked, leave to cool on a cooling rack.
Notes
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety First: Important Guidelines
Ensuring food safety is paramount when baking or cooking. Follow these essential guidelines to keep your kitchen and your delicious fruit cake muffins safe and healthy:
- Cook to a Minimum Temperature: Always ensure baked goods, especially those containing eggs, reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) to eliminate harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer if unsure.
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw ingredients (like eggs or unwashed fruit). Always clean surfaces and tools thoroughly between uses.
- Wash Hands Thoroughly: Always wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling raw ingredients, especially eggs, and before handling cooked food or serving.
- Mind the Temperature Danger Zone: Don’t leave perishable food (including muffins with fresh ingredients) sitting out at room temperature for extended periods (typically more than two hours). This can encourage bacterial growth.
- Never Leave Cooking Unattended: Always keep an eye on food that is baking, especially in a hot oven. Unattended cooking can quickly lead to burning or other hazards.
- Choose the Right Oils: When cooking or baking with oil, be aware of its smoke point. Using oils with a high smoking point helps avoid the formation of harmful compounds, although this is less critical for baking at moderate temperatures. Sunflower and canola oil are good choices.
- Ensure Good Ventilation: Always have good ventilation in your kitchen when using a gas stove or oven to prevent the buildup of harmful fumes.
For further comprehensive information and detailed guidelines on safe food handling practices, please check the official resources from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).