As the cool of our autumn mornings nips at my bare toes, I find myself thinking back to the bitter winter that Peter and I spent living in a rented house in Campbell. It was one of the coldest winters I can recall, both in terms of actual temperatures (i.e. minus 7 degrees C or more) and also in just how much my body and I felt that chill.
Walking to and from work at the time may well have exacerbated that feeling, for on a frosty morning in those old tree-lined streets of Reid and Campbell, the ground feels like death under your boots. Of course I rugged up! Woollen socks, thick tights, knee length brogans, a coat, scarf, gloves and beanie. And I'd make my way down the streets and through the park with the fastest gait, but still arrived at my desk frozen to the core, my cheeks and nose as red as these here raspberries.
One morning, Peter walked with me as he wasn't away travelling with work and so we changed our route and walked through the campus of the college not far from the office. The warm corridors offered toasty warm shelter, albeit brief, on our journey. Fortunately, methinks, we noticed a bunch of folks queueing outside a cafe door, so we called in to investigate. That little venue was one of the best discoveries of that time! Not only was the coffee and hot chocolate really, really good. There were also muffins baked fresh on site every morning! One of my favourites was the raspberry with white chocolate. They sure warmed my belly on those winter mornings and I have been fond of them (and baking them) ever since. My only tweak was to add some macadamias. I think they deserve star billing in the title, don't you? The recipe...
RASPBERRY, MACADAMIA AND WHITE CHOCOLATE MUFFINS
2 cups self raising flour 1/2 cup golden caster sugar 1/2 cup white chocolate callets 2g ground vanilla bean* 1/2 cup macadamia oil 2 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts 3/4 cup buttermilk or soured milk 1 free range egg, whisked 1 cup fresh raspberries+ Preheat oven to 190 degrees C. Prepare a Texas muffin tin by lining it with paper liners. Combine flour, caster sugar, chocolate and vanilla bean in a bowl. Run a balloon whisk through the mixture to break up any lumps in the flour. Fold in the oil, egg, milk and nuts until the ingredients are just combined. Divide half the mixture evenly between the lined muffin cups (that is, spoon a little mixture into the base of each liner), sprinkle a few raspberries on top of the mixture, then spoon the remaining mixture over the berries. Finish by placing the last of the raspberries on top. Bake for 25-20 minutes until golden brown. Makes 6 extra large muffins. Dust with icing sugar before serving. Store in an airtight container. NB: + Frozen fruit can also be used. * Heilala Vanilla now sells ground vanilla. Or use the seeds from one vanilla bean. Those muffins sure warmed my belly on winter mornings...Mmmmuffins...
Some time ago, I wrote a snippet about our depths-of-winter-days spent in that house we rented in Campbell. You'll find it here, along with my recipe for cherry clafoutis. Muffins are a favourite of mine. You might also like my blueberry version. Happy baking xox
Tell me dear readers, how do you like to warm on up a bitterly cold morning? And what's your favourite muffin? Share your recipe here if you wish.
2/4/2014 11:20:28 am
oooh they look like proper cafe muffins with those simple origami-like papers.
Lizzy
2/4/2014 11:22:02 am
Thanks Elizabeth, : ) They taste like proper cafe muffins too, only better! I can just imagine Hobart mornings in winter too! Brrrrrr. 2/4/2014 11:21:12 am
I love white chocolate, raspberries and macadamia nuts together (or separately if I'm honest) and I would love one of these muffins on a beautiful Thursday morning like this. Lovely!
Lizzy
2/4/2014 11:23:59 am
Oh my friend, how are you getting along? I'd happily bake you a dozen of these... I bet it's delicious in your neck of the woods, love.
Lizzy
2/4/2014 11:36:25 am
Great question, Francesca. Heilala Vanilla now sell ground vanilla bean, which is exquisite! Two grams is equivalent to one vanilla bean. I will adjust the recipe. Thank you for your kind words xo 2/4/2014 11:45:11 am
Your pics have lured me in, your sweet, tart and nutty muffins look deep and utterly fulfilling x
Lizzy
2/4/2014 11:46:30 am
Deena, thank you so much xo 2/4/2014 01:09:54 pm
This past winter for us was exceptionally cold (we even flirted with temperatures just below zero F a few times). So these muffins would have been most welcome! Doesn't mean they're not welcome now, of course. It's been rainy, and there's nothing better than something baked when it's rainy, is there? Really nice -- thanks.
Lizzy
2/4/2014 02:33:24 pm
Wow John, that's cold too!!! Funnily enough it's been really rainy here as well... we're expecting more this week. Happy cooking to you!
Lizzy
2/4/2014 02:49:36 pm
Aw, Jane, thank you very much! 2/4/2014 03:25:52 pm
I love everything about these muffins. And yes I agree, the macadamias do deserve star billing.
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:05:20 am
Hi Jennifer, many thanks for your kind words : ) 2/4/2014 03:44:51 pm
I love your presentation of these - gorgeous. I think raspberry and white chocolate muffins are my favourite! xx
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:05:46 am
Hi Charlie, thank you... I think they are mine too, though I do really love a good blueberry one! xo 2/4/2014 05:15:40 pm
Ah...so that's what it was in the oven! The muffins are to die for...and they look very cute in those shirts! :) ela
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:06:02 am
Ela, yes, thank you for your very kind words : ) 2/4/2014 06:03:22 pm
G'day! These look GORGEOUS Lizzy! Great photos! I could go for one of these right now with my coffee!
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:06:20 am
Thanks Joanne, how about I order an express delivery to you xo
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:06:35 am
Tandy, thank you, they really are too : ) Well first off I checked this out last night and what an image to take to bed! No wonder I craved to eat something at 3AM haha. Normally I would rush out and buy some macadamia, all I have here are walnuts, but I can't do that today. I can barely walk on one floor of my house and I won't send my darling shopping for nuts. Oh well looks like we'll have some muffins today. Lizzy what is a brogan?
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:07:41 am
Dear Zsuzsa, wishing you a speedy recovery my friend... brogans are boots... mine are leather, knee high, warm for the winter. Let me know how you are getting along xo
Lizzy
3/4/2014 09:06:51 am
El, thanks so much, and lovely to have you stop by xo
Lizzy
3/4/2014 12:04:40 pm
Oh Liz, thank you! Raspberries are so good, aren't they! Loved your brownies! 3/4/2014 05:42:14 pm
I have been baking so much even in anticipation of the colder weather. Today is rainy but not freezing but still cold enough to need something on the arms. And a muffin like this :)
Lizzy
3/4/2014 05:47:48 pm
Hi Lorraine, sounds like here... it's been raining almost non stop since 5pm yesterday! And I have a cardigan on too! I wish I had baked more of these little beauties : )
Lizzy
8/4/2014 04:15:41 pm
I do too, Laura, thanks for your kind words : )
Lizzy
11/4/2014 11:52:17 pm
Karen, thanks ever so much! Comments are closed.
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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