I started my Easter baking today with these Mini Simnel Muffins, which are a twist on the traditional Simnel Cake that I bake every year for Easter. These muffins are light, moist, packed with gorgeous vine fruits and gooey nuggets of marzipan baked within which melt deliciously into the fruit. The top of each muffin is then decorated with a blanket of marzipan and adorned with lovely spring sugar flowers! 
Mini Simnel MuffinsMakes 12
Ingredients
175g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
175g caster sugar
3 medium eggs
225g plain flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp mixed spice
350g luxury mixed dried fruit
100g chopped walnuts or almonds
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
50g natural almond paste, cubed
For the decoration
Icing sugar, to dust
250g natural almond paste
Small sugar flowers
Preheat the oven to 160°C/fan140°C/gas 3 and lightly grease a 12 x 125ml muffin tin or mould. Beat the butter, sugar, eggs and flour in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the baking powder, spice, fruit and nuts, orange zest and juice, and mix well. Divide between the muffin holes and push in the almond paste pieces. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and firm. Cool for 20 minutes, then remove from the tin and set aside on a wire rack.
To decorate, dust a work top with icing sugar. Thinly roll out 250g almond paste. Press out 12 rounds with a 7cm fluted cutter (re-roll the trimmings). Press on each cake and decorate with sugar flowers.
Icing sugar, to dust
250g natural almond paste
Small sugar flowers
Preheat the oven to 160°C/fan140°C/gas 3 and lightly grease a 12 x 125ml muffin tin or mould. Beat the butter, sugar, eggs and flour in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the baking powder, spice, fruit and nuts, orange zest and juice, and mix well. Divide between the muffin holes and push in the almond paste pieces. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and firm. Cool for 20 minutes, then remove from the tin and set aside on a wire rack.
To decorate, dust a work top with icing sugar. Thinly roll out 250g almond paste. Press out 12 rounds with a 7cm fluted cutter (re-roll the trimmings). Press on each cake and decorate with sugar flowers.
12 comments:
They look delish!
I just found a great recipe for mini simnel cakes baked in baked bean tins. I'm off out on an ingredient trip now :)
Katie xox
They look so pretty, never thought of doing simnel muffins before!
x
Awe these look SO beautiful Maria -I just adore the little flowers on top!
I have these on my list of to do for baking but I am in the middle of my Simnel Cake at the moment, which I bake every year and say next year I won't bother lol....
Rosie x
TOO CUTE! Love the little flowers!
Your bakes always look so pretty. I just can't think of a better word! Love the little flowers too.
Yummy! They are so pretty.
How lovely are your mini muffins! I dont think I would eat them since they are so cute....!!!!
These are so pretty! And loaded with goodies! What a nice treat. I love marzipan! I have a Simmel cookie recipe I'm hoping to bake(if time permits) for Easter.
Wow! These Simnel Muffins sound delicious! I love the idea of little nuggets of marzipan floating around in the muffin. How moist and flavorful! Thanks for your comments on my blog; I'm so glad they led me to your awesome blog. I can't wait to keep reading more!
how sweet! you have the best baked goods! I wouldn't bear to eat it though, it's just too pretty!
These look so delicate and pretty Maria.
Beautiful! :)
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