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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Easy Christmas Cake Muffins Recipe

    Published: Nov 7, 2022 · Modified: Dec 5, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Christmas cake muffins pin image.

    No time to make a Christmas cake this year? No worries! These easy Christmas cake muffins are a quick and tasty alternative to traditional Christmas cake, and best of all they're ready in under 30 minutes!

    Perfect for festive bake sales, parties, and Boxing Day buffets! You might also like my chocolate orange muffins!

    A stack of Christmas cake muffins on a wooden board.
    Christmas Cake Muffins

    Making a Christmas cake can be a bit time-consuming, especially when you have to factor in soaking the fruit! Plus, when you're the only person in your immediate family that actually likes Christmas cake, it can feel a bit of a chore!

    That's where these delicious Christmas muffins come into the equation!

    The muffins have all of the festive flavours of a rich fruit Christmas cake, without any of the hassle! They're also freezer-friendly!

    👩‍🍳 Love Christmas baking? Try my easy mincemeat crumble slices next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 How to make mini Christmas cake muffins
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More Christmas bakes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Mini Christmas cakes in muffin tins.
    • Light and fluffy texture.
    • Festive flavours.
    • Good use for leftover mincemeat.
    • Freezer-friendly.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for Christmas cake muffins.

    Plain Flour - use white or wholemeal plain flour.

    Light Brown Sugar - or substitute for golden caster sugar.

    Bicarbonate of Soda - the raising agent that helps the muffins rise.

    Spices - ground cinnamon and mixed spice.

    Orange - the zest gives these muffins an extra fruity flavour.

    Natural Yogurt - plain natural yogurt, or Greek yogurt.

    Eggs - two large eggs at room temperature.

    Butter - unsalted butter which has been melted in the microwave and cooled.

    Mincemeat - homemade or shop-bought. This is a great recipe for using up those half-empty jars from last year's stash!

    Dried Fruit - currants, raisins, sultanas, or dried cranberries can be used.

    Demerara Sugar - for a sweet crunchy topping.

    🔪 How to make mini Christmas cake muffins

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Place the dry ingredients (plain flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice, cinnamon, and orange zest) into a large mixing bowl.

    Two: Whisk together the cooled melted butter, eggs, and yogurt then pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold in.

    Three: Fold in the mincemeat and dried fruit.

    Four: Equally distribute the muffin batter between 12 muffin cases in a muffin tin, sprinkle over the demerara sugar, and bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown and risen.

    Step by step process photos for making Christmas muffins.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature before starting the recipe. The melted butter needs to be allowed to cool, before adding it to the wet ingredients.
    • Try not to over-mix the muffin batter. Over-mixing will result in tough, chewy muffins. Gently fold in the ingredients, and don't worry if the batter is still a bit lumpy!
    • For a high domed muffin, preheat the oven to 20 degrees ABOVE the specified temperature in the recipe card. As soon as you put the muffins in the oven, turn it back down. The high heat will help the raising agent to start working.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the Christmas cake muffins at festive buffets with air fryer sausage rolls, cranberry and white chocolate blondies, and Christmas star biscuits.

    The Christmas muffins also make an easy dessert served warm with creamy custard or brandy butter!

    A half eaten Christmas fruit cake muffin.

    📖 Variations

    • Add a handful of chopped nuts to the muffin batter. Walnuts and pecan nuts work well.
    • Mix in a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
    • Add chocolate chips or replace some of the flour with cocoa powder.
    • Use a brandy-soaked mincemeat for a richer flavour.
    • Drizzle the muffins with a simple white icing made with icing sugar and water.
    • Decorate with nuts and glace cherries.

    🥡 Storage

    Store: Once cooled, place the muffins in an airtight container or cake tin. They will keep fresh for up to 3 days. Muffins are best eaten on the day they are made though.

    Freeze: The Christmas muffins can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

    Christmas morning muffins on a wooden board.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    What makes muffins light and fluffy?

    Make sure all of the ingredients are at room temperature before using them, particularly the eggs. Then, make sure your raising agent is evenly distributed through the dry ingredients before adding the wet ingredients. It's also important to allow the melted butter to cool slightly before adding it to the other wet ingredients.

    Why are my muffins tough?

    Tough muffins result from over-mixing the muffin batter. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately first before mixing them together. Be gentle and it doesn't matter if the batter is a bit lumpy. Gently fold in additional ingredients like fruit, chocolate chips, and nuts.

    Can I make the muffins vegan?

    I haven't tried a vegan version of this recipe but you could try substituting the butter and yogurt with dairy-free alternatives and replacing the eggs with apple sauce or flax egg.

    😋 More Christmas bakes

    • Mincemeat Muffins
    • Christmas Fairy Cakes
    • Stollen Muffins
    • Puff Pastry Mince Pies
    • Puff Pastry Mincemeat Pinwheels
    • Mincemeat Blondies
    • Chocolate Orange Cookie Bars
    • Mincemeat Crumble Slices
    • Chocolate Orange Brownies
    • Christmas Star Biscuits
    Christmas muffin with wrapper taken off.

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    Recipe

    Christmas cake muffins on a wooden board.
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    5 from 7 votes

    Easy Christmas Cake Muffins

    These easy Christmas cake muffins are a quick and tasty alternative to traditional Christmas cake, and best of all they're ready in under 30 minutes!
    Course Baking
    Cuisine British
    Keyword christmas cake muffins, christmas morning muffins, christmas muffins
    Prep Time 8 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 18 minutes minutes
    Total Time 26 minutes minutes
    Servings 12
    Calories 251kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Scales
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Measuring Jug
    • Wooden Spoon
    • 12 Hole Muffin Tin
    • Muffin Cases

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 200 g Plain Flour
    • 140 g Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
    • 1 teaspoon Mixed Spice
    • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
    • 1 Orange zest only
    • 100 ml Natural Yogurt
    • 2 Eggs large
    • 140 g Butter melted and cooled
    • 150 g Mincemeat
    • 50 g Dried Fruit
    • 2 tablespoon Demerara Sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 190°C (170 fan/ Gas 5/ 375F) and line a 12 hole muffin tin with 12 muffin cases.
    • Place the dry ingredients (plain flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice, cinnamon, and orange zest) into a large mixing bowl.
      200 g Plain Flour, 140 g Light Brown Sugar, 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda, 1 teaspoon Mixed Spice, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, 1 Orange
    • Whisk together the cooled melted butter, eggs, and yogurt then pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold in.
      100 ml Natural Yogurt, 2 Eggs, 140 g Butter
    • Fold in the mincemeat and dried fruit.
      150 g Mincemeat, 50 g Dried Fruit
    • Equally distribute the muffin batter between 12 muffin cases in a muffin tin, sprinkle over the demerara sugar, and bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown and risen.
      2 tablespoon Demerara Sugar

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature before starting the recipe. The melted butter needs to be allowed to cool, before adding it to the wet ingredients.
    • Try not to over-mix the muffin batter. Over-mixing will result in tough, chewy muffins. Gently fold in the ingredients, and don't worry if the batter is still a bit lumpy!
    • For a high domed muffin, preheat the oven to 20 degrees ABOVE the specified temperature in the recipe card. As soon as you put the muffins in the oven, turn it back down. The high heat will help the raising agent to start working.
     
    Variations:
    • Add a handful of chopped nuts to the muffin batter. Walnuts and pecan nuts work well.
    • Mix in a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
    • Add chocolate chips or replace some of the flour with cocoa powder.
    • Use a brandy-soaked mincemeat for a richer flavour.
    • Drizzle the muffins with a simple white icing made with icing sugar and water.
     
    Storage:
    Store: Once cooled, place the muffins in an airtight container or cake tin. They will keep fresh for up to 3 days. Muffins are best eaten on the day they are made though.
    Freeze: The Christmas muffins can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Christmas Cake Muffins
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    251
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.003
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.4
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    28
    mg
    9
    %
    Sodium
     
    180
    mg
    8
    %
    Potassium
     
    116
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    43
    g
    14
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    25
    g
    28
    %
    Protein
     
    6
    g
    12
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    80
    IU
    2
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    6
    mg
    7
    %
    Calcium
     
    55
    mg
    6
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Christmas Recipes

    • Frangipane mince pies on a blue and white plate.
      Easy Frangipane Mince Pies Recipe
    • Fairy cakes with festive sprinkles.
      Easy Christmas Fairy Cakes with Sprinkles
    • Christmas tiffin bars with Christmas sprinkles.
      Easy Christmas Tiffin Recipe
    • Stollen muffins on a wooden board dusted with icing sugar.
      Easy Stollen Muffins Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dannii

      November 08, 2022 at 8:00 am

      5 stars
      What a great alternative to Christmas muffins. These look delicious.

      Reply
    2. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      November 08, 2022 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      Christmas cake can be so heavy, so this is a great idea to get the flavour without all the work. Great for Christmas parties too.

      Reply
    3. Mahy

      November 08, 2022 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      I just love that you make them so cute! The instructions seem easy to follow, so I am in!

      Reply
    4. Gina Abernathy

      November 08, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      I love this idea of muffins instead of a cake. The orange zest gives it just the right amount of flavor.

      Reply
    5. Tara

      November 08, 2022 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      You had me at ready in under 30 minutes! Such fantastic muffins for the holiday season. I love those warming spices.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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