Monday Muffins

I bought this book the other day, filled with delicious recipes of Muffins and cakes. Since I'm quite new to baking I need a book to guide me to making the perfect muffin. I must say, this book is very good at doing that.

As I flipped through the gorgeous photographs of Muffin recipes I decided to make the chocolate one. I have to admit, the first time I made a cupcake, I followed a different recipe book which didn't turn out very well. The cupcakes caved in or overflowed, which wasn't really ideal. The next time I made cupcakes I didn't know how much mixture to put in the cupcake- since I knew it was going to rise due to the self-raising flour! The book didn't indicate how much I should put it and so I googled it and didn't really get a consensus either. The new book (pictured above) thankfully tells you to put in three quarters of the mixture in the cupcake case. As I carefully did this, I hoped I was doing it right!

 

Half an hour later I opened the beeping oven, as I had put the timer on, always a wise thing to do if you tend to forget you're baking something, I jumped up with glee! They looked like muffins! They didn't cave in or overflow - they were just right! Excited as I was, I didn't want to jinx my muffins, so I left them in for another five minutes. When I took them out finally, this is what they looked like. Obedient little muffins that had made it into the big muffin world!

I couldn't contain my excitement - I couldn't let them cool on the cooling rack - I took out each one and put them on a plate, making them ready for their photography shoot. They were very good models.

But I have to say, the aroma making its way around the room made me woozy with hunger - I just needed a bite! They smelt so good! Just a quick photograph in my light box and on my way to the kitchen again to lay them out nicely for my family to share with me.

Look at the texture inside that muffin! Deliciously crunchy on the outside, soft and light on the inside with a touch of chocolate chips inside to add to the texture.

I must admit, I am very proud of my Monday Muffin adventure! There's not a lot left and I've got dibs on the last two and to go with it will be a nice, cold glass of milk.

Would you like to make this Muffin? Below is the recipe!

(Makes 12)

Ingredients

8 tbsp soft margarine

100g caster sugar

150g self-raising flour

2 large eggs

2 tbsp coca powder

25g plain chocolate, melted

Method

1. Put 12 paper baking cases in a muffin pan.

2. Put the margarine, sugar, flour, eggs and cocoa in a large bowl, beat together until just smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, filling them three-quarters full.

3. Bake the muffins in a preheated oven, 180C/350F, for 15-30 minutes or until springy to the touch. Prod a knife inside and if it comes out clean it's done. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

And as the French say Bon Appetite, the Egyptians say Bel Hana Wel Shefa!

All Photographs by Unique