OLIVE OIL MUFFINS

Olive Oil Muffins image

Use extra-virgin olive oil, preferably one that is labeled "first cold press". Serve with eggs, frittata, or pasta.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories Quick Breads

Time 50m

Yield 18 muffins, about

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semolina (white) or 1/2 cup cornmeal (white)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup marsala wine
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Steps:

Position rack in the center of the oven; preheat oven to 400°.
Spray muffin tin indentations and rims with nonstick cooking spray.
In a bowl, whisk flour, semolina, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until uniform; set aside.
In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and Marsala until smooth; whisk in the olive oil and lemon zest; stir into the prepared flour mixture using a wooden spoon until moistened.
Fill the prepared muffin tins ¾ full; bake 20 minutes or until the muffins are lightly browned with rounded, lightly cracked tops; a pick should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
Place pan on a wire rack; cool for 10 minutes; gently rock each muffin back and forth to release and remove it from the tin.
Cool muffins 5 minutes on the rack before serving.
*Herbed Goat Cheese Olive Oil Muffins: crumble ½ cup herbed goat cheese into the batter just before adding the prepared flour mixture; proceed as directed.
*Olive Rosemary Muffins: mix ½ cup chopped pitted green or black olives and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary into the batter just before adding the prepared flour mixture; proceed as directed.
*Pesto Muffins: mix ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil, 1 clove minced fresh garlic, and 2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts into the batter just before adding the prepared flour mixture; proceed as directed.
*Sun-Dried Tomato Olive Oil Muffins: mix 1/3 cup marinated sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, into the batter just before adding the prepared flour mixture; proceed as directed.