Chai Spiced Muffins

Heya,

Chai is definitely one of my newly liked flavours. I have always chosen coffee over tea, especially iced coffee as I find it more satisfying as well as, most importantly, tastier. However, I recently discovered chai lattes in Costa (Costa>>Starbucks any-day) and fell in love with this South Asian beverage. The flavour itself is relatively easy to replicate with various spices however making a truly delicious chai latte perfectly has proved a challenge. Because of this, I'd rather use the aromatic flavour elsewhere therefore have been experimenting with chai in baking. These chai spiced muffins were initially a trial for my mums X-mas party at her work however my brother and I enjoyed them so much that she barely had any to take! It always surprises me when my brother likes my more authentically flavoured bakes as he is definitely more of an "obvious" dessert lover preferring my chocolate chip cookies to my more extravagantly or richer flavoured bakes. However, he loved the chai muffins just as much as I did(it is rare we both like a bake) therefore I would definitely class this bake as one of my more successful ones. The recipe is quick and easy and widely enjoyed as the perfect festive or warming treat so I hope you enjoy them!

Here is my recipe for Chai Spiced Muffins:

Ingredients: (makes 30)

• 160g Plain Wholemeal Flour
• 160g Plain White Flour
• 3tsp Cinnamon
• 3/4tsp Ground Ginger
• 1/2tsp Cardamon
• 3/4tsp Nutmeg
• 1.5tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2tsp Salt
• 375g Banana, mashed (about 3.5 bananas)
• 4 Eggs
• 175g Butter
• 350g Brown Sugar
• 1.5tsp Almond/Vanilla Extract

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 175’c, gas mark 4
2. Line a muffin tray(s) with 30 cases
3. To make the spice mix, in a cup mix together the cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and nutmeg
4. In a small bowl, whisk together both flours, soda, salt and the spice mix
5. In a new larger bowl, cream together the butter and sugar
6. Add the vanilla, egg and banana to the butter mixture and mix until fully combined
7. Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix thouroughly
8. Place into your muffin tray keeping everything as even as possible
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes
10. Enjoy!!