These Easter Muffins are delicious, fluffy treats, rich in almonds and candied fruits, reminiscent of the taste of Colomba. They are very easy to prepare and perfect for Easter: enjoy them for breakfast or place them on the dessert buffet alongside Neapolitan pastiera and rice cake.
Soft and tasty Easter muffins are ideal for a spring buffet or outdoor lunch. They keep well and are excellent as a snack for your children.
Flavors are very important in cakes; in this case, I’ve added bitter almond and orange, but you can use what you like.
If you don’t like seed oil, you can replace it with butter. In this case, you’ll need 85g (3 oz), which you must leave at room temperature for 30 minutes before adding to the batter.
Ingredients (for about 12 pieces):
- 200g (1 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 20g (2 1/2 tbsp) potato starch
- 80g (3/4 cup) almond flour
- 160g (3/4 cup) sugar
- 125g (1/2 cup) yogurt (vanilla or plain)
- 70g (1/3 cup) peanut oil (or 85g (6 tbsp) soft butter)
- 3 medium eggs (about 150g or 5.3 oz)
- 1 packet baking powder
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 8 drops almond extract
- 90g (1/3 cup) candied orange peel (cut into small cubes)
For decoration:
- 36 whole almonds (with skin)
- 30g (2 tbsp) pearl sugar
How to make Easter Muffins:
- For the preparation of the batter, you need ingredients at room temperature, as this is important for perfect muffins.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the sugar, and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the yogurt, almond extract, and grated orange zest.
- Sift the flour and potato starch with the baking powder and add to the eggs, along with the almond flour; incorporate all ingredients well with brief whisking.
- Add the seed oil (or soft butter) and mix until smooth and homogeneous.
- Finally, add the candied fruit cut into small cubes.
- Fill the batter into paper-lined muffin tins.
- Sprinkle the pearl sugar and place 3 almonds on top of each muffin.
- Bake the muffins in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 16-18 minutes.
- Check if they’re done with a toothpick and extend the baking time by a few minutes if needed.
- The Easter muffins are ready; let them cool completely before serving.
Enjoy!
