Mini Gingerbread Muffins

Asked by patsytoo. Answered on 20th June 2016

Full question

I want to make Nigella's Gingerbread Muffins for a garden party, but mini bite-size ones. If I use a mini muffin tin how long should I should bake them for so they are not too dry. And can you suggest a frosting to use on them? Many thanks.

Our answer

Nigella's Gingerbread Muffins (from FEAST) are spiced muffins that are similar to a sticky gingerbread cake. It is possible to bake them in mini muffin form but bear in mind that the batter is quite liquid so the muffins do not rise into peaked tops in the same way that a traditional muffin recipe would, but instead are flat-topped and may look slightly on the small side. The recipe makes 12 regular muffins and this is likely to make between 30 and 36 mini muffins. You should fill each mini muffin case half full with batter. The baking time for a mini version should be around 12 minutes, but we suggest starting to check after 10 minutes. The muffins should be firm on top and a cake tester inserted into the centres should come out clean, or with a couple of damp crumbs clinging to it (but not uncooked cake batter).

If you would like to ice the muffins then we suggest trying a lemon glace icing as this works well with the ginger flavour. Nigella has a recipe for Fresh Gingerbread With Lemon Icing in HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS. The icing is fairly easy to make and we suggest that you start with a single quantity of the icing and then make a little extra, if it is needed.