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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup brown sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 cup whole milk - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Pinch of salt In this recipe, I focus on using simple, fresh ingredients. The all-purpose flour provides a light base. Brown sugar gives a rich sweetness. Melted butter adds moisture. Whole milk makes the muffins tender. I love using eggs for binding. Baking powder and baking soda help the muffins rise. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger give warmth and spice. Dried cranberries add tartness, while walnuts add crunch. Dark chocolate chips bring a delightful sweetness. Finally, vanilla extract enhances all the flavors. - You can swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a lighter taste. - Try adding chopped pecans or almonds for a different nut flavor. - For a festive touch, top muffins with icing or sprinkles. - Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. These options let you customize your muffins. Make them your own while keeping that holiday spirit alive! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of salt. Use a whisk to blend them well. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. 4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Stop mixing when you see a few lumps; it’s okay! 5. Now, fold in the dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and dark chocolate chips. Make sure they are evenly mixed throughout the batter. 6. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin. Fill each cup about 3/4 full to allow room for rising. 7. Bake for 18-20 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out clean. 8. Once done, take the muffins out of the oven. Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. These steps will help you create the perfect batch of Nigella Christmas Muffins! Enjoy the festive flavors and the cozy smell filling your kitchen. - Ensuring the right oven temperature: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). This heat helps the muffins rise evenly. Use an oven thermometer for accuracy. - How to avoid overmixing the batter: Mix wet and dry ingredients gently. Some lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins. - Creative ways to present muffins for holiday gatherings: Place muffins on a colorful platter. Dust them with powdered sugar for a snowy look. Add festive cupcake liners for extra cheer. - Suggestions for serving with drinks: Pair these muffins with hot cocoa or spiced cider. They also go well with coffee or tea for a cozy feel. - Best practices for storing muffins: Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps them stay soft and fresh. - How to keep muffins fresh longer: You can freeze muffins for later. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature when ready to eat. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better texture in your muffins. Don't Overmix: Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together to keep the muffins tender. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins. Customize Your Mix-Ins: Feel free to swap out cranberries and walnuts for your favorite dried fruits or nuts, like raisins or pecans, to make these muffins your own. Store Properly: Keep leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage. {{image_2}} You can switch up the spices in Nigella Christmas Muffins for fun twists. Try adding cardamom or cloves for a unique taste. If you want something sweeter, use white chocolate chips instead of dark. You can also mix in dried fruits like apricots or figs for extra flavor. Nuts can be swapped, too. Use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts. This will change the texture but keep the muffins delightful. If you need gluten-free options, use almond or coconut flour. These flours make the muffins soft and tasty. For a dairy-free version, replace the milk with almond or oat milk. You can also use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free treat. For vegan muffins, use flax eggs. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for five minutes. Think about seasonal fruits to add a festive touch. Chopped apples or pears work well in fall. In summer, blueberries or raspberries can add a burst of flavor. You can also adjust the spices to match the season. For Halloween, add pumpkin spice, and for spring, try lemon zest. Customize the muffins for different holidays by adding themed decorations or sprinkles. This makes each batch unique and special. To store your Nigella Christmas Muffins at room temperature, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for about three days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can stay good for up to three months. The best way to reheat muffins is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the muffins on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes. This method keeps them warm and helps maintain their texture. You can also use the microwave, but heat them for only 10 to 15 seconds. This way, they won’t get too soft or chewy. How long can I store Nigella Christmas Muffins? You can store these muffins for up to five days. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Can I freeze these muffins, and how do I do it? Yes, you can freeze them! Let the muffins cool completely first. Then, wrap each muffin in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped muffins in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. What can I substitute for brown sugar? You can use white sugar instead. For a closer taste, add a tablespoon of molasses to white sugar. This gives a similar flavor to brown sugar. Can I make these muffins without eggs? Yes! You can use a flaxseed meal as a substitute. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with two tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. This works well in muffin recipes. How can I customize the spice blend? Feel free to mix your favorite spices. You can add allspice, cloves, or even cardamom. Adjust the amounts to match your taste. Experimenting can lead to fun flavors! What drinks pair well with Christmas muffins? Warm drinks are best! Try serving with hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a nice cup of tea. These drinks complement the flavors in the muffins. How should I serve these muffins for a holiday brunch? Arrange the muffins on a pretty platter. Dust them with powdered sugar for a festive touch. Add some fresh fruit or whipped cream on the side for extra fun! In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious Christmas muffins. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step baking instructions, and helpful tips for perfect muffins. You learned about fun variations and storage methods too. Remember, muffins are versatile treats you can customize. Use different spices, nuts, or fruits to match your taste. With these skills, you can impress friends and family. Enjoy baking, and share these muffins for a festive touch!

Nigella Christmas Muffins

Delicious festive muffins perfect for the holiday season.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts
  • 0.5 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined.
  • In another bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
  • Fold in the dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Arrange the muffins on a festive platter and dust with powdered sugar for a winter wonderland effect. Pair with a warm beverage for a cozy treat!
Keyword Christmas, holiday baking, muffins