Orange-Hibiscus Muffins

The Muffin Monday baking group is to bake Rum Raisin Muffins this week but I'm sure you can already tell these muffins don't have rum nor raisins. Let me explain.

I've been called to work last week, the reason I missed last week's Snickers Muffins, which have left me no time to cook, much less bake. (Thank goodness for my husband who takes up kitchen duties when I'm busy at work.) I didn't have time to shop for ingredients and all I can find in my pantry are dried, sweetened hibiscus flowers. They taste tart and sweet like craisins (dried cranberries) with the texture of fruit roll-ups. I figured these flowers would make a good substitute.

I could have used rum but since I am making these for my children, I decided to soak the flowers in some freshly-squeezed orange juice instead with an added splash of orange flower water to add a floral scent. It smelled heavenly.

The muffins were easy to prepare, having had soaked the hibiscus overnight. Glad to have a little baking time before reporting to work. I brought several to work and snuck away for a little to take pictures. Don't tell the boss. ;)

Orange-Hibiscus Muffins
makes 12 regular-sized muffins

90g (1 cup) dried and sweetened hibiscus flowers, chopped
120ml (1/2 cup) freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tsp orange flower water
245g (1 3/4 cups) flour
2 TBSP sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 large egg
180ml (3/4 cup) milk
38g (1/3 cup) butter, melted

1. Place hibiscus, orange juice and orange flower water in a small bowl. Let it soak at a couple of hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
3. Grease and flour a standard muffin tin.
4. Sift the flour, sugar and baking powder into a large bowl. Make a well in center.
5. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and add milk and butter.
6. Add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Spoon evenly into the prepared muffin tin.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until it pass toothpick test.
8. Let it cool in pan about 5 minutes. Enjoy.

In the Philippines, we call these flowers gumamela. The information on Hibiscus on Wiki reminded me of those bubble-making days with the neighborhood kids, crushing the flowers and leaves until sticky juices come out. We used the sap to blow bubbles and it worked! :)

Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.