Name: Healthy carrot cake muffins
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Makes 12
Ingredients: 200g thick greek yogurt; 25g maple syrup; ¼ tsp vanilla extract; 3 eggs; 100g thick greek yogurt; 150ml maple syrup; 50ml whole milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 200g self-raising wholemeal flour; 1½ tsp mixed spice; 1 tsp baking powder; 200g carrots peeled and grated; 75g raisins tossed in a pinch of flour; 2 oranges zested

FROSTING

200g thick greek yogurt
25g maple syrup
¼ tsp vanilla extract

MUFFINS

3 eggs
100g thick greek yogurt
150ml maple syrup
50ml whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
200g self-raising wholemeal flour
1½ tsp mixed spice
1 tsp baking powder
200g carrots
peeled and grated
75g raisins
tossed in a pinch of flour
2 oranges
zested

Method

step 1
A few hours before starting the muffins, make the frosting. Put a colander over a medium bowl and line with some cheesecloth or muslin. Add the yogurt, cover, chill and leave to strain for 2-3 hours – you should be left with a clear-ish liquid in the lower bowl and the yogurt should be firmer. When you’re ready to start baking, heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
step 2
Put the eggs, yogurt, maple syrup, milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl and whisk together until smooth. Combine the flour, mixed spice and baking powder, and add to the wet ingredients, folding until just combined. Add the carrots, raisins and half the orange zest, and fold though.
step 3
Line a 12-hole muffin tin with muffin cases and divide the batter between them. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until risen and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely.
step 4
While the muffins are cooling, transfer the strained yogurt to a small bowl and add the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir together and chill for a further 30 minutes. Once the muffins are ready, top each with some of the frosting and the remaining orange zest to garnish.