Apple and date muffins

Serves: 12 | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

 3 medium apples, finely chopped
 1 cup boiling water
 ½ packet dates (200 g) chopped or 200–300 g sultanas
 50 g butter
 2/3 cup brown sugar
 2–3 teaspoons of mixed spice/cinnamon
 1 egg
 1 rounded teaspoon baking soda
 1 rounded teaspoon baking powder
 2 cups flour (white or wholemeal, or a mixture)

Method

1. Turn on oven and set to 180 °C.

2. Chop apples and dates, then add boiling water, butter and sugar. Mix till the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved. Add the spice and allow to cool a little.

3. Prepare muffin, loaf or ring tins by greasing with butter or spraying with oil.

4. When fruit mixture is warm, not hot, add spice and egg and mix well. Then add baking soda, baking powder and flour. I used to sift the flour, but now I don’t bother. Mix in, but do not overbeat once flour goes in. If the final mixture is too dry, add a little milk. Spoon into the prepared tins, allowing for the mix to rise about 50%. Cook immediately. Medium sized muffins take around 15 minutes, loaves take about 45 minutes.