BEST BITES: CURRANT + LEMON MUFFINS

Today's recipe includes an AWESOME ingredient I've actually never baked with before, but have always loved: CURRANTS!

Growing up in Minnesota, we had wild currants grow on bushes near our house. My sister and I would pick them and eat them right on the spot. I was so excited when I found them at the farmer's market recently! They're tart and tangy and pop when you bit into them- kind of like a hybrid between and cranberry and a pomegranate seed:

I decided they'd be perfect to bake with, so I threw them into one of my usual muffin recipes with lemon and they turned out EXCELLENT. Half the batter was in mini muffin tins, half was in regular- both were eaten equally between family and friends :)

Here's what you need to make it happen:

- 1 1/2 cup fresh currants- washed, and destemmed! If I had had more I would have put even more in!

- 1 lemon: both zest and juice

- 1 cup skim milk

- 2 large eggs

- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

- 1 cup granulated sugar

- 4 teaspoons baking powder

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 3 cups all-purpose flour

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 and line your muffin tins with liners. 

Step 2: Combine your dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3: Mix together your eggs, milk, and oil, and add to the dry mixture

Step 4: Stir in your lemon juice and zest, and gently mix all together with a spatula. I don't like using a mixer for muffins, they always end up kind of tough!

Step 5: Fold in your currants carefully so they don't all burst open!

Step 6: Fill your muffin cups 2/3 full if you want them to have a slight cap, or a little more full if you want the dramatic muffin top look (yes, I said muffin top!).

Step 7: For mini muffins, bake for 20 minutes- for regular muffins, bake for 25-30 (until lightly golden brown)

Step 8: Serve to your family/friends and enjoy!

 Personally, since the fruit is smaller, I think these were a lot better in a mini muffin form- each bite evenly guarantees some currant in it!

Have any of you ever baked with currants before? 

Tell me what you've made, I'd love to try the recipe!

xo, lp

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