Mary Berry’s cheesy herb muffins are the ultimate comfort food and a perfect savory snack for picnics or to accompany dinner. These muffins are incredibly easy to make and boast a rich sundried tomato sauce, robust olives, and the fragrant aroma of fresh basil. In her cookbook ‘Quick Cooking,’ Mary Berry writes, “Savoury muffins are so much quicker to make than bread. The texture is different, of course, but they are superb with soup, salads or for eating on the go.” She adds, “The cheese is lovely and oozy if you serve them warm. Eaten cold, they are still fragrant, with a nice saltiness from the cheese and olives. As with all muffins, this is a slightly moist and heavier bake, rather than a light and airy sponge.”
Preparing these cheesy muffins takes less than 10 minutes before they go into the oven to bake for 20 minutes, making the total cooking time roughly 30 minutes.
How to Make Cheesy Muffins
Ingredients:
* 175g of self-raising flour
* 75g of Gruyere cheese (grated)
* 75g of black olives (optional)
* 50g of butter (melted)
* 250ml of milk
* One large egg
* Two tablespoons of sundried tomato paste
* One teaspoon of baking powder
* Half a teaspoon of salt
* Basil leaves (chopped)
Kitchen Equipment Needed:
* 12-hole cupcake or muffin tin
* Muffin or cupcake cases
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 200C (180C for fan or Gas Mark 6) and line the muffin tin with muffin cases.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt (the dry ingredients). In a jug or separate bowl, mix together the butter, egg, and milk (the wet ingredients).
3. Add the cheese, basil, and olives to the bowl of dry ingredients and mix well. Pour in the wet ingredients and gently stir everything together with a fork.
4. Add the sundried tomato paste at the end but gently swirl it into the batter instead of stirring it in completely, as this will create a lovely burst of tomato flavor when you bite into the muffin.
5. Divide the batter into the muffin cases and bake in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the muffins are well-risen and lightly golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. These tasty cheese muffins can be served warm or cold.
These cheesy muffins are incredibly simple to make and can be ready in 30 minutes. They are a delicious and convenient option for any occasion, whether it’s a picnic, a casual lunch, or a quick snack.
