Fig Muffins

Fig muffins are a delicious variation of the classic muffins for breakfast or an afternoon tea. Here’s how to prepare them in Italian style, using simple and genuine ingredients.

Ingredients

• 250 g of all-purpose flour
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• 100 ml of milk
• 80 ml of vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 packet of baking powder for sweets
• 1 pinch of salt
• 6 fresh figs (or dried figs, if not in season)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• Powdered sugar for decorating (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a muffin pan with the appropriate paper liners.
2. In a bowl, sift the flour, the baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you get a light and fluffy mixture.
4. Add the oil and milk to the egg and sugar mixture, then incorporate the vanilla extract if you decide to use it.
5. Cut the figs into small pieces, setting aside some slices for decoration if you wish.
6. Combine the dry ingredients with the liquid ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or a spatula until the mixture is homogeneous.
7. Add the fig pieces to the batter and gently mix.
8. Fill the paper liners with the batter up to about 2/3 of their capacity.
9. Decorate the surface of each muffin with a slice of fig if you have decided to keep some for this purpose.
10. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
11. Once ready, take the muffins out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
12. Before serving, you might want to dust them with a little powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Curiosity

Figs are highly valued in Italian cuisine for their natural sweetness and versatility. In traditional cooking, they are often paired with cheeses or as part of sweet recipes. In muffins, they provide a moisture and sweetness that perfectly complement the simplicity of the batter.