I confess. I am having a love affair with Panettone. Todd thinks we have a magic Panettone that I got for Christmas that keeps regenerating itself. 😁 Truth be told I am a naughty magician that is very good at making it disappear and then reappear in the house,as if by magic (by use of my magic grocery cart). Shhh . . . don't tell.
I really love anything fruity. And I especially love all of the Christmas fruity goodies like Panettone and fruit cake, mince pies, stollen, etc. I am good at making all of it disappear too. They are a weakness I need to work on.
These lovely muffins embody all of the flavours of a delicious Panettone, but without all of the hard work and waiting.
A lovely moist cake type of batter. I use oil, but you could use melted butter if you wanted to. They would certainly be a lot richer with butter . . .
Sweet sticky raisins . . . chopped candied cherries. You could use chopped maraschino cherries if you can't get candied cherries. Just rinse and dry them off really well.
Candied citron, almond essence . . . finely grated orange zest . . .
I used three colours of cherries, well four actually light red and dark red . . . green and yellow . . . flaked almonds burnish the top . . .
A quick mix together and then a quick bake and presto chango . . . you magically have some really delicious moreish muffins that taste very Panettone-like.
*Panettone Muffins*Makes 10Printable Recipe
All of the delicious flavours of a Panettone but with none of the faff.
1 large free range egg60ml vegetable oil (1/4 cup)125ml milk (1/2 cup)1/2 tsp almond extract100g caster sugar (1/2 cup)210g self raising flour (1 1/2 cup)75g candied cherries, quartered (1/2 cup, can use maraschino cherries which have been drained and dried)75g raisins (1/2 cup)50g mixed peel (1/3 cup)the finely grated zest of 1/2 orange1/2 tsp mixed spicea handful of flaked almondsicing sugar to dust
Preheat the oven to 18*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Line 10 muffin cups with paper liners.
Whisk together the egg, oil, milk and almond extract. Stir together the flour, sugar, cherries, raisins, mixed peel, orange zest and mixed spice. Make a well in the center and add the wet ingredients. Stir together to combine. Spoon into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the top of each with some flaked almonds.
Bake for 20 minutes until risen and golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar to serve.
These would be perfect served with hot drinks on Christmas morning while you are opening the gifts. These muffins and I are very good friends. Happy Holidays and Bon Appetit!
