Christmas Day Muffins

Tomorrow is Christmas and I am sure you have every meal planned out to the "T."  However these Christmas day muffins might just be perfect in case you have some space at your breakfast table and are looking for some inspiration. I shared them at Jerri's space Simply Sweet Home a few weeks back and thought I'll share them here today...

These eggless Christmas day muffins are inspired by Mrs Byatt's Christmas Day Muffins. They taste lovely with all the cranberry, hazelnut and orange marmalade glaze. Though healthier, they are a little dense when baked with whole wheat flour. So if you are in a mood to indulge just substitute the whole wheat flour with an equal measure of all-purpose flour and swing into the holiday mood...

Christmas Day Muffins

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Recipe adapted from Mrs Byatt's Christmas Day Muffins

Prep time: 25 minutes                                                                                   Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 45-50 minutes                                                                             Yield: 7

Ingredients

For the Muffins

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1-1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 40 ml canola oil
• 60 ml milk
• 40 ml orange juice
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps yogurt
• 2 tbsps orange marmalade
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

For the Orange Marmalade Glaze

• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 tbsps orange marmalade
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tbsp spiced rum*(optional)
• 3 tbsps powder sugar

Cooking Directions

1. Grease 7 muffin cups or 7 outer holes of a muffin tray and keep aside.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
3. Sift together the flours, baking powder, baking soda and the spices and keep aside.
4. Put the oil, milk and orange juice in a mixing bowl and beat to mix them well.
5. Add sugar to the liquid mixture and beat till it is well incorporated.
6. Add the yogurt, marmalade and orange zest to the sugar-liquid mixture and beat well.
7. Using a wooden spoon gently fold in the sifted flour mixture and the cranberries into the liquid mixture taking care not to over-beat.
8. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups/holes and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the muffins have risen and are golden on top.
9. Remove the muffins from their case and let them cool while you prepare the marmalade glaze.
10. For the glaze :
1. Heat butter in a saucepan until melted.
2. Stir in the orange marmalade and orange juice and mix well.
3. Switching off the heat, stir in the salt, the powdered sugar and the rum and mix well until a smooth uniform solution is formed.
11. Dip the muffins into the prepared marmalade glaze, coat them on all sides and let the glaze settle, about 10-15 minutes. Then serve and enjoy !

So much for today. Wish you  and your family a very Merry Christmas !
Please do drop by at Tasty Tuesdays for some more Christmas inspirations and also to link up your favorite recipes. This week the party is on open until Sunday night !! 

I shall be sharing this cake at the following food events and weekly parties.. 
Lets Cook for Christmas @ Just Not the Cakes
FR Event: Christmas Recipes @ Zesty South Indian Kitchen
Lets Cook Christmas Food @ Simply Food

Monday : Mix it up Monday, The Scoop, Made with love Monday, Marvelous Mondays @ This Gal Cooks, Recipe Sharing @ Jam Hands Melt in your Mouth Monday, Inspiration Monday Party Recipe Sharing Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop,Maniac Monday Linky Party, Meatless Monday:Meatless Monday My Sweet and Savory

Tuesday : Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Tasteful Tuesday Party @ Nap Time Creations, Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home ,  Hand Made Tuesday @ Ladybug Blessings, Share it Link Party @ Winthrop Chronicles,  Tasty Tuesday @ Anyonita Nibbles,  Hearth and Soul blog Hop, In & Out of the Kitchen @ Feeding Big & More, Tuesday's Table @ Love in the Kitchen, 

Wednesday : What's Cooking Wednesday @ Buns in my Oven, Cast Party Wednesday @ Lady Behind the Curtain, Show and Share @ Semi Homemade Mom, Wine'd Down Wednesday, Wonderful Food Wednesdays at @ All She Cooks,Wonderful Food Wednesdays @ Mom's Test Kitchen Wednesday, Whatsit@White Lights on Wednesday, Wednesday Extravaganza @ Hunger Little Girl, Create & Share @ The Trendy Tree House, What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar & Dots Look

Thursday: Link it Up Thursday @ Seven Alive, Fantastic Thursday @ Three Little Chiefs, Thriving on Thursdays @ Domesblissity,  Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage , Freedom Friday @ My Turn,  Thursday's Treasures @ Food Done Light,Pin it Thursday @ Sweet Bella Roos

Friday : Foodie Friday @ Simple Living and Eating,  Friday Linky Party @ The Pin Junkie, Get Him Feed @ Anyonita Nibbles, Friday Favorite (DYI too) @ Simple Sweet Home,  Foodie Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes, Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm, Weekend Wonders @ The Thriftiness Miss, Friday Food Frenzy @ Mostly Food and Crafts, Weekend Potluck @ Sunflower Supper Club, The Weekend re-Treat @The Best Blog Recipes