I have never quite understood how people can go in for vast, rich breakfasts on Christmas morning. I am hardly a modest eater by anyone's standards, but even I can't quite accommodate a platterful of buttery scrambled eggs with smoked salmon before the gargantuan Christmas feast. And I speak as cook and eater on this one. I do, however, see the need to make breakfast special in some way, and these muffins do that. What's more, if you measure out the dry ingredients the night before and put the muffin cases in the muffin tin, you don't need to do anything more labour intensive on Christmas morning itself than preheat your oven, whisk up a few runny ingredients in a jug and stir them into the waiting bowl. Then dollop the batter into the prepared muffin cases and all's sweet - and smelling of cinnamony, orange-scented Christmas.
For more simple Christmas baking ideas and other Christmas recipe inspiration try these easy recipes.
Recipe posted by Nigella
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Amazing... every night on weekends, I watch your fabulous program, where everything you do in the kitchen seems to be the easist thing ever... It's amazing... and hungry is the word that is repeated a hundred of times in my mind when the show ends. LOL... if you could just have the recipes or the ingredients in Spanish... it will become easier.. because I do not exactly the quantity of the portions on it.... Thanks .. and consider this plz.. Adiós =)
Posted by Camila.Ignacia on 17th Dec 2011 at 6.20
They are everything Nigella says they are and more. Smell amazing. I would like them more for a morning tea, as they are a tad too sweet for me first thing in the morning. I use Nigella's menu for Christmas lunch, and have omitted these muffins in recent years, as I can do without anything but a cup of tea until the luncheon, and some random nuts.
Posted by manonlescaut on 2nd Apr 2012 at 12.37
This has become a Christmas morning tradition in my house. I baked them for my parents on Xmas morning 2 years ago, and now they demand them every year. They are so therapeutic to make, and taste divine.
Posted by stargirls on 3rd Dec 2012 at 10.12
These must be the most delicious muffins one can ask for on Christmas morning. This year, once again, as with the past 6 years, these delectable beauties will be served to my family again. Thank you Nigella for an amazing Christmas morning muffin.
Posted by AJANI on 4th Dec 2012 at 21.55
We have started a tradition of having these for breakfast on Christmas Eve as a fortifier before the big cooking day. They are absolutely delicious - we have a little unsalted butter with them. I am trying them in silicone cases this year.
Posted by Hilary A on 6th Dec 2012 at 8.42
I made these for my elderly grandfather the week before Christmas (this very morning, in fact) as a way to bring some Christmas spirit to our house, and to test the recipe before serving the muffins on the big day. The whole house was filled with the most marvelous smell as the muffins baked. It was heavenly! They couldn't have been easier -- I prepared exactly as Nigella directed, though I used tangerines from our trees. My grandfather and I love them and will enjoy them with our afternoon tea, as well. I will certainly make these for the family on Christmas morning. Absolutely wonderful.
Posted by eavgrainger on 18th Dec 2012 at 19.50
I added walnuts as well as cranberries as I was short on cranberries - they added a bit of bite and flavour. Kids and adults love them and so quick and easy to make. Must remember to do them other than for Christmas!
Posted by Anne99999 on 27th Dec 2012 at 12.46
Made these for the first time Christmas just past, they were delicious. My children actually took time to sit down and eat these, they will be a must for our Christmas morning breakfast from now on. Made them on Christmas Eve and warmed slightly in oven next morning.
Posted by Jo74 on 12th Apr 2013 at 14.57