These muffins are all about the streusel, ’bout the streusel… Sorry that song is annoyingly catchy. Or are they all about the spices? Either way they are damned good if I say so myself. The perfect pick me up for when the weather is depressingly dreary and you need a little hit of something fragrant, sweet and a little spicy to turn things round. They certainly worked their magic on my colleagues at work – let’s just say the constant baking is making me rather popular…
And how do you like my pretty new muffin tin? Or those darling measuring spoons? All the props in this post (apart from the tablecloth) come from Homesense which may just be my favourite homeware store ever. It’s like someone very thoughtfully created a haven for food bloggers and keen cooks – just an incredible selection of hard to source cookware, beautiful plates, glassware and even baking decorations and ingredients. That’s just in the cooking section alone – they have other departments too : )
Homesense have several stores throughout the UK. I visited the one in Staples Corner but a new shop has just opened in South Harrow as well for those of you in London.
Spiced ginger, date and pecan muffins with streusel topping
Ingredients
- For the muffins
- 160 g | 5.6oz self-raising flour
- 150 g | 5.3oz soft light brown sugar
- 100 g | 3.5oz cold unsalted butter cubed
- 50 g | 1.5oz rolled oats
- 100 ml | 3.4fl oz milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 100 g | 3.5oz pecans roughly chopped
- 100 g | 3.5oz pitted dates finely diced
- 3 pieces stem ginger finely diced
- a little caramel to drizzle optional
- <br>
- Streusel topping
- 90 g | 3.2oz plain flour
- 85 g | 3oz cold unsalted butter
- 60 g | 2 oz brown sugar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- a little Demerara sugar to sprinkle optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Line your tin with muffin cases.
- Put all the streusel ingredients apart from the Demerara sugar in a bowl and briefly rub together between your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Pinch together until small clumps are formed and set aside.
- Put the oats, flour, sugar, spices and salt in a food processor and blitz briefly.
- Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add the eggs and pulse until they are mixed in.
- Add the milk and vegetable oil and blitz for a minute until the batter is smooth. You may need to scrape the sides of the bowl.
- Fold in the chopped pecans, dates and stem ginger.
- Divide between the muffin cases and sprinkle about 1 tbsp of streusel topping over each. Add a little sprinkling of Demerara sugar over the top.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden, risen and firm on top. Serve with a little caramel drizzled on top if you like.
Louise | Cygnet Kitchen says
I am always in Homesense, it is so addictive! Cook books, pans, kitchenware galore, I can always find something to buy! Those muffins look damn good too, Lucy! x
Janine says
The cupcakes sound amazing!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Homesense is so dangerous to my bank balance haha!! I always go in wanting one thing and come out with 10! Love these muffins and I have a similar muffin tin, but yours is cuter!
Lucy Parissi says
I got so much with a modest budget. I had trouble getting home with the two enormous heavy bags though…
botanicalkitchen says
I saw these props in Homesense the other day and rather liked the little spoons. I completely agree on Homesense though. It is the best place to buy food props. I generally pop into the Enfield and Brent CRoss stores every time I go by.
Anyway shopping aside these look delightful. I think they will be fabulous with custard with the whole streusel thing going on.
Lucy Parissi says
Mmmm custard! Good idea. I love those spoons and use them daily (not always for baking)
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
These are gorgeous Lucy! They sound like just my kind of muffin. I LOVE Homesense but I try not to go there too regularly as I'm like a kid in a candy shop and it's all too easy to go overboard…
Lucy Parissi says
All those little cake tins… it's like heaven : )
Jane Sarchet says
Oh blimey, I need to go a hunting on their site now! Love the muffin tin too, it sure is prettier than my tatty old metal one 🙂
Janie x
Lucy Parissi says
It's well worth a visit!
Camilla Hawkins says
Glorious muffins and I just love that muffin tin, so pretty:-)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Now that I have discovered Homesense it will definitely be somewhere I visit regularly! I was amazed by all the gorgeous stuff there (the Christmas decorations are stunning!). These muffins sound so gorgeous, perfect for an autumnal day.
Lucy Parissi says
I wish it weren't so far from me… but maybe it is for the best otherwise I would be broke!