Monday, August 13, 2012

Cardamom Cinnamon Apricot Muffins for Muffin Monday


There are some flavors that just seem to go together.  Apples and cinnamon, tomatoes and garlic, chocolate and peanut butter, bacon and everything.  When I got the recipe for this week’s Muffin Monday, I wasn’t so sure.  The original Epicurious recipe pairing was cinnamon and blueberries.  I’ve never tried the combination and it’s probably lovely but, in truth, it was a moot point.  Because I can’t get blueberries in Cairo.  So, instead, I give you cardamom and cinnamon with dried apricots.  Which totally go.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups or 190g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup or 150g dark brown sugar
1/4 cup or 50g sugar
6 tablespoons or 170g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup or 120ml whole milk
1 large egg
7 1/2 oz or 215g dried apricots

Method
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F or 200°C.  Put liners in muffin cups or grease well with butter or non-stick spray.

Chop your dried apricots into little pieces.


Whisk together brown sugar, sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom and salt in a large bowl.

See anything missing?


Whoops!  Almost forgot the white sugar!
Whisk together butter, milk, and egg in a bowl until combined well.



Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold to combine. 



Gently fold in your dried apricots.



Divide batter among muffin cups.



Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.


Cool on a wire rack.


Enjoy!


Guess who else loves a dried apricot, and apparently dried apricots baked into a muffin as well.

The exploratory sniff. 

He almost took my fingers off!



Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street.   A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week.   Drop Anuradha a quick line to join her on this journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.

13 comments :

  1. I bet cardamom and cinnamon paired nicely with the apricots. They look wonderful. Hey, if the dog likes them, they must be good :)

    Yes, bacon and everything! Love it! Happy #MuffinMonday!

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  2. Yeah, he's not so picky, but they were delicious. Happy #MuffinMonday to you too!

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  3. What wonderful flavors, Stacy! And I want to hug your dog. :)

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  4. Thank you, Jenni! He is a cutie. My younger daughter is here with me for her summer holidays so he is getting extra hugs every day! And the occasional usually forbidden treat.

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  5. Anita at Hungry CoupleAugust 14, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    Terrific step by step photos. My furry kitchen helper also always takes an exploratory sniff...and sometimes an exploratory taste...before wolfing down whatever I've baked. :)

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  6. Thanks, Anita! The most important help is constant approval and encouragement. He's very good at that.

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  7. Ooo! I love the use of cardamom and apricots! Lovely job and your pooch is just adorable :)

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  8. Thanks, Kate! He is a big smoochy face and we love him. The cardamom and cinnamon smelled amazing as they baked and the apricots were stickily delicious.

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  9. The combination of cardamom, cinnamon & apricots sounds fantastic! Such a warm, inviting looking muffin that screams for coffee and a quiet start to the day. Love it :)

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  10. Yay to a quiet start to any day, with coffee. I think these might even work with an afternoon of quiet reflection and tea. Thank you for your kind words.

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  11. great muffins love the spices you used Jenni told me to check out your blog

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