Fresh fig muffins

Fresh fig and orange muffins

Figs are now in season: this recipe celebrates this sweet tribute to summer.

fig and orange muffins 9x6

makes 10 large muffins

60ml sunflower oil

120ml semi-skimmed milk

1 medium egg

1 x 5ml spoon orange oil or the finely grated zest of 1 orange

pinch salt

1 x 5ml spoon baking powder

100g vanilla sugar *

220g plain flour

250g fresh figs, hard tops removed and finely chopped

2 figs, hard top removed and finely sliced for decoration

Pre-heat the oven to 190ºC / 170ºC fan / gas mark 5.

Whisk the oil, milk, orange oil or zest and egg in a small mixing bowl.

Place the salt, baking powder, sugar and flour in a large mixing bowl and mix. Add the chopped figs and milk mixture and stir together quickly. The mixture will be slightly lumpy.

Place 10 large muffin cases in a muffin tray. Using 2 metal spoons, divide the muffin mixture between the cases. Artistically arrange slices of fresh fig on top of each muffin.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and firm to touch. Remove from the muffin tray and cool on a rack.

These smell delicious and are best eaten warm, but if you do resist eating them all at once they will keep for a couple of days in an airtight container.

*Vanilla sugar – if you have a spare vanilla pod sitting in a tube, stick it in a large jar and top up with caster sugar.  This gives an extra flavour layer to your baking. Simply top up the jar with sugar each time you use some.

Fresh figs

Shopping tip

Farm shops sell items like these at a competitive price and they are often 50% less than a supermarket

Shirlee Posner
Recipe and image Shirlee