Happy Muffins

Happy Muffins with Bees and Teddy Bears

If you are looking for a muffin recipe that brings smiles to the faces of your loved ones, you have come to the right place! These Happy Muffins are not only delicious but also a true joy to prepare. With a soft and fragrant dough, decorated with cute bees and teddy bears, these muffins are perfect for a snack, breakfast, or dessert.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 40-45 minutes
Number of servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 25 g plain biscuits (like Digestive or similar)
- 75 g flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg
- 40 g honey
- 30 ml oil (preferably sunflower or canola oil)
- 50 ml milk
- 1 small ripe banana
- Vanilla essence (optional)

For decoration:
- 100 g plain biscuits
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 150 ml warm milk
- 1 teaspoon butter or margarine
- Yellow food coloring (or other colors, as preferred)
- Melted chocolate (for decoration)
- Colorful candies and broken biscuits (or almond flakes) to create the bees' wings

For the glaze:
- 25 g butter or margarine
- 25 g honey
- A pinch of cinnamon

A Brief History

Muffins, in general, have a rich history, originating from the diverse pastry preparations around the world. These muffins are often made for festive occasions, becoming a symbol of joy and sharing. Combining simple ingredients such as flour, eggs, and milk, muffins are a versatile choice for any time of the day.

Step by Step

1. Preparing the dough

Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. This step is essential to ensure even baking of your muffins.

In a large bowl, crush the plain biscuits until you get a fine powder. Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, mixing the dry ingredients well.

In another bowl, lightly beat the egg with a fork, then add the honey, oil, and milk. Mix well to combine the wet ingredients.

Next, peel the banana and mash it with a fork until it becomes a smooth paste. Add the banana to the wet ingredients and ensure it is fully incorporated.

Now, combine the dry ingredients with the wet ones and mix everything with a spatula until a homogeneous dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to dense muffins.

2. Baking

Fill the muffin cups with the prepared dough, leaving a little space at the top as the muffins will rise during baking. Place the cups in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once baked, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Preparing the decoration

Meanwhile, prepare the decoration. Crush the plain biscuits and mix them in a bowl with the vanilla sugar, warm milk, and butter/margarine. This mixture should become a firmer paste, easy to shape.

Add the yellow food coloring (or other colors) to the biscuit paste and shape bees and teddy bears. Let them cool for 30 minutes to harden.

After they have cooled, use the melted chocolate to decorate the figures and add candies for eyes and ears. You can also use pieces of biscuits or almond flakes to create the bees' wings.

4. Glaze and assembly

For the glaze, melt the butter or margarine together with the honey and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix well until homogeneous.

Once the muffins have cooled completely, spread the prepared glaze on top. Carefully place the bee and teddy bear figures on each muffin, then decorate as desired with colorful candies and chocolate.

Helpful Tips

- Biscuits: You can experiment with different types of biscuits to add a personal touch. Cocoa biscuits or those with nuts can bring a special flavor.
- Bananas: Make sure the banana is well-ripened, as this will add natural sweetness and moisture to the dough.
- Decoration: If you don't have time to shape figures, you can simply decorate the muffins with melted chocolate and colorful candies – they will look just as good!
- Calories and nutritional benefits: Each muffin has about 150 calories, making it a relatively light choice. Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamins, while honey adds a boost of antioxidants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I replace the banana with another fruit?
Yes, you can use applesauce or pumpkin puree, but the texture and taste will vary.

2. How can I keep the muffins fresh?
Place them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for a few days.

3. Can I freeze the muffins?
Yes, you can freeze the muffins before decorating them. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the freezer. When you want to serve them, let them thaw at room temperature.

Serving

These Happy Muffins are perfect with a warm tea or a natural fruit juice. They are ideal for a children's party, a brunch with friends, or simply as a sweet treat during the day.

We wish you much success in making these adorable muffins! May each bite bring joy and smiles around you. Enjoy!