Hot Cross Muffins

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons rum or 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup golden raisin (6 oz.)
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 cup candied citron peel (or mixed candied fruit)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons soft butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk or 1 tablespoon cream

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 400°.
• 2 in a small bowl, pour the rum or water over the raisins; set aside while you assemble all the other ingredients.
• 3 in a big bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and spices.
• 4 make a well in the center; add the soaked raisins and candied peel or citron.
• 5 beat together the eggs and milk; add in the melted butter, and add, all at once, to the dry ingredients.
• 6 stir until everything is evenly combined.
• 7 scoop into greased muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
• 8 bake 20-25 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
• 9 remove from the oven and cool on a rack while you combine the frosting ingredients.
• 10 when the muffins are cool, frost with a cross over the top.