How to Make Hot Cross Muffins
Prepare the muffin pans., Grate the orange zest., Juice the orange., Melt the butter in a small saucepan., Sift the flour, cinnamon, and mixed spice into a large mixing bowl., Add the sugar and stir through. , In another mixing bowl, prepare the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Prepare the muffin pans.
Line the pan with the paper cupcake cases.
Preheat the oven to 180ºC, 350ºF. -
Step 2: Grate the orange zest.
Wash the orange first and dry it completely before grating.
Be sure to grate it finely, so as not to include the white pith underneath. , The entire juice will get used up in the muffins and icing. , Use medium heat and don't overheat it.
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to lukewarm temperature. , Stir in together. ,, Pour in the melted butter, milk and orange zest.
Crack in the 2 eggs and add 2 tablespoons of the freshly squeezed orange juice.
Mix all together well. , Make a well in the middle and pour in the mixture.
Stir only enough to combine it (muffins shouldn't be over-stirred). , Stir through very gently and quickly. , Be generous as these are each taking the place of a bun! , Bake for 20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted.
It is a good idea to check at around the halfway and three-quarter way cooking time to see if they're ready earlier. , At this point, you can stop and hand out the "hot" cross muffins so that they can be enjoyed hot.
Give people some butter or margarine to spread on them as an option. , The icing will be piped across the top of each hot cross muffin in the shape of a cross, to indicate their Easter affiliation. , Sift the icing sugar (confectioners sugar) into a small mixing bowl.
Add the orange juice and warm water.
Mix together to form a smooth paste. , Cut a very small hole in one corner of the bag for the icing to pour through. (Always cut smaller than you think; it's easier to increase the hole size than decrease it.) ,, Serve with coffee, tea, and Easter treats. -
Step 3: Juice the orange.
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Step 4: Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
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Step 5: Sift the flour
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Step 6: cinnamon
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Step 7: and mixed spice into a large mixing bowl.
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Step 8: Add the sugar and stir through.
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Step 9: In another mixing bowl
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Step 10: prepare the liquid ingredients.
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Step 11: Pour this egg mixture into the flour mixture bowl.
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Step 12: Add the raisins or currants.
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Step 13: Spoon the mixture evenly into each of the prepared cupcake cases in the muffin pan.
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Step 14: Place in the oven.
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Step 15: Remove from the oven.
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Step 16: Alternatively
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Step 17: leave to cool on the wire cooling rack and prepare the muffins for icing.
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Step 18: Make the icing.
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Step 19: Spoon the icing mixture into a plastic sandwich bag for piping.
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Step 20: Squeeze the icing gently into lines of a cross on each muffin.
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Step 21: Leave to set.
Detailed Guide
Line the pan with the paper cupcake cases.
Preheat the oven to 180ºC, 350ºF.
Wash the orange first and dry it completely before grating.
Be sure to grate it finely, so as not to include the white pith underneath. , The entire juice will get used up in the muffins and icing. , Use medium heat and don't overheat it.
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to lukewarm temperature. , Stir in together. ,, Pour in the melted butter, milk and orange zest.
Crack in the 2 eggs and add 2 tablespoons of the freshly squeezed orange juice.
Mix all together well. , Make a well in the middle and pour in the mixture.
Stir only enough to combine it (muffins shouldn't be over-stirred). , Stir through very gently and quickly. , Be generous as these are each taking the place of a bun! , Bake for 20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted.
It is a good idea to check at around the halfway and three-quarter way cooking time to see if they're ready earlier. , At this point, you can stop and hand out the "hot" cross muffins so that they can be enjoyed hot.
Give people some butter or margarine to spread on them as an option. , The icing will be piped across the top of each hot cross muffin in the shape of a cross, to indicate their Easter affiliation. , Sift the icing sugar (confectioners sugar) into a small mixing bowl.
Add the orange juice and warm water.
Mix together to form a smooth paste. , Cut a very small hole in one corner of the bag for the icing to pour through. (Always cut smaller than you think; it's easier to increase the hole size than decrease it.) ,, Serve with coffee, tea, and Easter treats.
About the Author
Rebecca White
Creates helpful guides on home improvement to inspire and educate readers.
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