Lemon Blueberry Muffins

I had a craving for these muffins this week, so I stocked up on blueberries - they're out of season but like so much fruit here in the UK, still readily available. These blueberries are fresh, but you could just as easily use frozen ones - go with what you have/can get.

It's a lovely classic flavour combination, lemon and blueberries. This recipe makes muffins that aren't sickly sweet at all, so being generous with the lemon sugar glaze on top is recommended.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Makes 12

Ingredients:

• 2 c plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 c caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 120g butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
• 1/3 c milk
• 1.5 cups blueberries
• 1 Tbs lemon zest

For the glaze:

• 1/2 c icing sugar (powdered sugar)
• juice from a lemon - enough to water down the sugar to make a semi-thick glaze for drizzling

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) and line a muffin tin with 12 wrappers.
2. In a small bowl mix the flour and baking powder.
3. Using an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and mix until light and fluffy - approximately 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. If the mixture looks like it is curdling, you can add a spoon of the flour mixture to help prevent this. Add the vanilla, followed by the milk and lemon; mix until combined.
5. Add the flour to the bowl, and with a wooden spoon, gently mix until just combined. Do not over mix here or the muffins will be dense.
6. Carefully fold in the lemon zest and blueberries.
7. Scoop the mixture into the muffin tin, filling each one 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the muffins are lightly golden on top and a skewer comes out clean.
8. Once the muffins have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top as desired and then tuck in!

Double Chocolate Muffins

I know most people have their favourite chocolate muffin recipe already, but in case you're looking for a new one to try, I highly recommend this one. Taken from 'Call Me Cupcake' it's utterly delicious and very chocolately.

I was watching the catch up to The Great British Bake Off this week, having missed the first show as we were away camping, and I was craving some chocolate muffins. Not sure why, since they were doing other cakes, but anyway.....

I have made these twice this week, the first time following the recipe and using chopped up chocolate throughout and on top.....and the second time I used chocolate chips. Both were lovely, with the chopped up chocolate melting more, but I do like the choc bits!

I substituted the buttermilk for soya milk, but only so my son can eat them. I'm sure it's a lovey richer flavour with the buttermilk.

Oh and in the second batch, I also added about half a cup of desiccated coconut, mainly because I love coconut in everything and I especially liked it in these.

I've also started using the baking cups which I buy from Iced Jems. You can buy here and this link will answer and questions you have about them. I love them!

Double Chocolate Muffins
Makes 12-18 in standard muffin tins, but makes 15-20 in the baking cups.

 Ingredients:
300 g plain  flour
80 g cocoa powder
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bi-carb of soda
1/4 tsp salt
250 g granulated sugar
100 g butter, melted
250 ml buttermilk (about 1 cup or 8.45 US fluid ounces)
2 large eggs
150 g dark chocolate (70%), coarsely chopped (or chocolate chips)

Method:

1. Heat oven to 170°c (340F). Prepare a cupcake pan with 12 muffin liners or if using the baking cups, set them up on a baking tray.
2. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt in bowl. Set aside.
3. Mix butter, buttermilk and eggs in a large bowl.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate, but save 1/4 of the chocolate to put on top of muffins.
5. Divide batter between 12 liners, filling them completely full or 3/4 full for the baking cups.
6. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate pieces.
7. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a cake tester comes out almost clean - slightly less time for the baking cups, as they are smaller.