Saturday, December 3, 2011

Cranberry Harvest Muffins

Cranberry Harvest Muffins

Makes about 18 large muffins
Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/4 cups milk
2 extra-large eggs
1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped dried cranberries
3/4 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts, toasted and skinned (see directions for how to)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions:

For the hazelnuts:

Spread the nuts in a single layer onto a baking sheet.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes until golden brown.

Once the nuts have been toasted, pour the nuts into a clean kitchen towel, grab the corners to bundle it up, and rub the nuts against each other inside the towel, until most of the skin comes off.  Not all of the skin will come off, but that's fine, you just want to get most of the skin off.

For the muffins:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.  Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl. 

Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the milk, eggs, and melted butter.  Stir quickly just to combine (you don’t want to over mix or you’ll get lumpy muffins).  Add the cranberries, hazelnuts, and both sugars and stir just to distribute the fruit, nuts, and sugar evenly throughout the batter. 

Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each one to the top. 
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until browned on the top and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean.  Place the muffins on a rack to cool and enjoy!

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