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I haven't baked muffins for quite a while have I? I like baking muffins because it is easy. They are a lot less fussy compared to cupcakes. And with a basic recipe, you can make your own adjustments to come up with many variations.
I used to buy muffins from the bakery at Aeon but since baking my own, I don't do that anymore. I find that home made muffins taste a lot better and have a better texture (so fussy these days hah...hah...). These Cranberry Orange Muffins are adapted from Amy Beh's Cranberry Muffins. All I did was to substitute milk for orange juice and I added orange zest to up the orange flavour.
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| Hic! Ish today Wenshday...? Hic... |
These muffins have a fluffy and soft texture due to addition of yogurt. And besides, the added rum really made a lot of difference. Imagine having booze in your breakfast muffins to perk you up. These muffins are definitely a pick me up and perfect for those depressing Monday mornings. Or depressing Wednesday mornings for that matter. Like today. Sigh.....
Orange Cranberry Muffins
Recipe source : Adapted from At Home with Amy Beh 3 (page 22)
Makes 12 regular sized muffins
Ingredients :
- 230g self raising flour, sifted
- 100g dried cranberries
- Zest from 1 orange
- Juice from 1 orange
- 140ml plain yogurt
- 150g good quality butter (I used Golden Churn)
- 100g brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp rum (optional but recommended)
- 2 eggs
Method :
1. Line muffin tin with cupcake or muffin liners.
1. Soak cranberries in orange juice and rum for 15 minutes. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well in between each additions.
4. Add yogurt, orange zest
5. Add soaked cranberries including the soaking liquid.
6. Add sifted flour and gently fold until just mixed (do not overmix)
7. Spoon batter into muffin liners and bake in preheated oven at 160C for 22 minutes or until skewer inserted into center of the muffin comes out clean.
This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY and hosted by Ann of Anncoo Journal.
Morning morning dearie.. Cranberry orange sounds so refreshing.. Like very juicy like that.. Yes, I also heard muffins are easier to bake.. Why ahh? Coz just need to stir everything inside only? Of course home-made muffins (and other food) are better, coz we can add more "liew" according to what we like.. Unlike store bought ones, very kiamsiap with their "liew".. I can count the number of raisins, cranberries and chocolate chips on a slice of store-bought raisins-cranberries-chocolate chips bread.. Depressing Mondays and Wednesdays? If I'm depressed, I don't have mood to bake also wor.. And also no mood to eat also wor, keke.. Pssttt, I also have days I feel depressed, I guess we make a pair :)
ReplyDeleteHi Louiz! It was depression that brought me to baking. It helped me to heal. It is important to keep it under control or else life would be very miserable. I am sure you have ways to cope (like your nice song!) and cheer yourself up. I'm better today :)
DeleteTell you a secret.. Ok, it's not a secret anymore if I comment here.. I actually haven't found a way to cope with my depression.. Not even baking (and the song doesn't work anymore today).. On some days, I feel (and look) fine, but on other days, I don't. People don't know I have "this problem" coz I (still can) make myself look happy on the outside.. Is this more dangerous? Like anytime can explode like that? It's good you found your way - thru baking.. If baking can take away my depression, I would have done it every night after work!
DeleteYou know, I can totally relate to the "anytime can explode" feeling. Do you share how you feel with someone, perhaps your hubby? It helps to talk to someone who is understanding because it relieves the tension. Even if it doesn't completely take away that sinking feeling, you will feel better. I had my fair share of bursting into tears and luckily for me I could talk to my mum and my partner was very supportive. Tell you what, one day I will blog about it. Who knows it might help you and others who suffer from the same problem.
DeleteI come back here early morning to check your reply.
DeleteI can't wait for that "one day", do you think you can blog about this say, this weekend, then publish on Monday? Ok, I'm demanding (and instructing), you don't have to oblige.. I don't online on weekends, so please don't post anything on weekends *action mode*
Yes, I do tell my hubby, but not 100% of it, he gets sick of it too sometimes coz he says I keep repeating the story.. The panic attacks do come every now & then, like drowning, can't breathe, OMG, what am I talking? I sound like a crazy girl (who looks perfectly cute & normal on the outside)..
Hi Louiz! I see that you are very keen to hear my story, eh? I need to work on it and when the time comes, I'll publish it. It will be soon because I am running out of food! Meanwhile, you take care. Take a deep breath and think of the positive things that you have in your life. Write it down if need be. That was one of the things that I did. Will share more. I've got to go mop the floor. After that wash toilet, laundry, ironing, reconcile my bank statement, cook lunch, try to bake a cake and later watch Law & Order! Have a good weekend Louiz!
DeleteI, for one, dunno the difference between muffins and cupcakes and then there are bread-like muffins like the ones in Egg Benedicts? I'm lost!
ReplyDeleteSame here, I'm not sure of the differences between cupcakes and muffins.. Previously, I thought muffins no need to use butter, just cooking oil will do, just stir everything only.. But now, I know both muffins & cupcakes can be with just cooking oil also.. Maybe muffins are "heavier" and cupcakes are "lighter"?
DeleteI also did not know the difference but now I do! Muffins don't need creaming of butter and sugar - just mix everything and then bake. Therefore they are not as light as cupcakes.
DeleteThen, I think I'm a muffin person.. I don't cream, I only stir - using a fork.
DeleteYeah, muffins are so you :)
DeleteYummy! My family loves muffins too!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! Muffins are a favourite over here too :)
DeleteHi Phong Hong, I know how this muffins tasted cos' I have tried it. Really nice, It's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteHi Kimmy! Glad that you have tried it. I love it too :)
DeleteI love to add cranberries in baking too, yummy! Yeh, no more depression, hehe...
ReplyDeleteHi Esther! Usually when I am baking, I am so happy :)
Deletenampak sedap sangat
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rizziela! Memang sedap hee..hee...
DeleteHi Phong Hong,
ReplyDeleteLovely muffins! I love dried cranberries too and it always goes well with orange. The advantage of muffins is, you do not have to slice it to serve, so less washing up to do (the knife, the serving plates) ! haha!
Thanks for linking!
Agreed, Joyce! Just mix everything up and bake. No fuss!
DeleteBooze in a breakfast muffin does sound perky, i like!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
Deleteoh, looks so tempting lah this cranberry orange muffins.. and yes, again, i love things with orange because i love that citrus i love that zest.. this time you didn't cut and show the inside, but can see the muffins are moist and rich enough, while being very fluffy still.. it's Wednesday and a wetness-day too, so nice to have this muffin to go with a cup of hot tea, awww, i want that!!!
ReplyDeleteHi SK! Yes, a very rainy Wednesday and Thursday too. I am hoping for more and more rain so that this miserable water rationing can stop! With water, I can bake more and cook more :)
DeleteSo long did not bake some muffin, wish I can have some of your muffin, looks good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sonia! Sure you can have my muffins :)
DeleteHi Phong Hong, I love orange and cranberry. They pair off beautifully... hahaa, I mean the taste and the colour.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to LTU.
Hi Ann! Yes, I love the combination very much :)
DeleteHi PH, nice muffin. Finish already? I think I haven't bake any muffin for the past 3 years. :))
ReplyDeleteBest regards.
Hi Amelia! I can bake some for you :)
DeleteJust popped by to let you know you,ve been featured today over at Carole's Chatter. Cheers
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you Carole! That's very nice of you!
DeleteI love these muffins as I love orange and cranberries. They go well together for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Mich! I am looking forwards to baking more orange and cranberries combo!
Deletehmm....looks similar...made once but not cranberries
ReplyDeleteNext time can try with cranberries, it's nice :)
DeleteMay I have 2 for breakfast?!
ReplyDeleteOf course you can, Jozelyn!
DeleteWooooooooooow rum so early in the morning? Hehe dont think I'd be able to handle it... would be tipsy all morning. :P
ReplyDeletehah...hah...Yen, if it cures depression, why not :D
DeleteTrue true true, that's why sometimes I also thought of baking muffins instead of a proper large cake! Cranberry orange sounds like a great combination to me!
ReplyDeleteJessie, lazy people like me very ngam with muffins hee..hee...
Deleteit looks like something we are going to be addicted to,thanks so much for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, really! That must be the rum ha...hah...
DeleteHope your mood is lifted. Cranberry and orange is a wonderful combination.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Edith! I feel good today because it is Saturday :)
Deletei also think baking muffins make a good idea when we just have a sudden urge to bake due to itchy hands..it's fast and your pairing of cranberry and orange i believe it's a very tasty one!
ReplyDeleteHi Lena! Yes, very tasty and no hassle :)
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