Bacon and Blue Cheese Muffins - Perfect for Sunday Brunch

I love lazy Sundays. You know, when you get up late and read the Sunday paper, then just potter around the house, maybe not even making it out of your pyjamas. In our house that tends to be the kind of day that we graze as well, just sort of snacking on whatever takes our fancy rather than having a formal Sunday lunch. I made these muffins with that in mind, but also wanting to try another savoury recipe after the choc fest of Easter.

These are lovely, and would be perfect for a weekend brunch (not just on Sunday). Or if you happen to be lucky and are having a lazy day during the week. The bacon and blue cheese gives that lovely savoury tang which is balanced by the sugar in the mix giving a sweet note. There is also a hint of basil which complements the flavour.

Bacon and Blue Cheese Muffins (adapted from Muffins Galore by Catherine Atkinson)

80g smoked streaky bacon or pancetta, cooked till crisp and drained well on kitchen towel, then crumbled into small pieces
300g plain flour
1 tbspn baking powder
1/2 tspn salt
80g caster sugar
1 medium egg, lightly beaten
5 tbspn water
5 tbspn vegetable oil (I used sunflower oil)
175ml milk
10 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
90g blue cheese, crumbled (I used Stilton)

Makes 12.

Preheat the oven to 160 fan / 180 conventional / 350 farenheit / Gas 4. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with liners.

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Mix together the oil, egg, milk and water in a jug. Add the cheese, basil and bacon to the dry ingredients, and then all in one go, tip in the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. The mix will look lumpy with some flour still visible (see pic), but that's OK; you want this as it will keep the muffins light and fluffy.

Just mixed muffin mix!

Scoop the batter into the prepared cases, dividing it evenly.

Bake in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes (mine took just the 20), or until risen and golden. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out onto a rack. Serve while still warm.

Light and fluffy - Yum

Enjoy,

Susie

** Update **

I am, as suggested, entering this into the Alphabakes Challenge, run by Caroline of Caroline Makes and Ros of the More than Occasional Baker (both fantatsic blogs which I urge you to take a look at, if you haven't already!). This month's challenge is 'B' and is hosted by Ros. Check out the More than Occasional Baker after 28 April for this month's roundup. It'll be my second entry, but I understand that that's OK, and Ros and Caroline hold the view that the 'more the merrier'.