Prune in Chocolate muffins

On colder days, I find myself craving… chocolate-covered prunes ;). Prune in Chocolate is a completely new take on chocolate muffins. Moist and intensely chocolatey, with prunes soaked in rum. They’re utterly irresistible! Stored in their paper cases and topped with a thick chocolate glaze, they stay fresh for longer – little pieces of chocolate cake “wrapped up” to enjoy over the next few days, perfect for a little after-dinner treat…

Makes 12.

Ingredients for the Prune in Chocolate muffins:

• 200 g prunes
• 100 ml dark rum
• 250 g plain flour
• 50 g cocoa powder
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 160 g soft brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 130 ml rapeseed or sunflower oil
• 140 ml milk
• 60 ml strong brewed coffee (made with 1 tsp instant coffee)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50 g chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate

All ingredients should be at room temperature.

Cut the prunes into smaller pieces. Place them in a small saucepan, pour over the rum and heat gently until the prunes have softened and absorbed most of the rum. Remove from the heat and leave for 1 hour, or until the prunes have completely absorbed the liquid.

Place the eggs, oil, milk, coffee, vanilla extract and brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk together until combined. Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa powder directly into the mixture. Whisk briefly, just until combined. Add the chocolate chips and rum-soaked prunes and fold in with a spatula.

Line a standard muffin tin with paper cases. Divide the batter between the cases, filling them slightly more than ¾ full.

Bake at 160°C for about 25 minutes, or until the muffins are baked through (a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean, with no traces of raw batter). Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

Ingredients for the chocolate glaze:

• 100 g dark or plain chocolate
• 100 ml double cream

Heat the double cream in a small saucepan until almost boiling, then remove from the heat. Pour over the chopped chocolate and leave for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy.

Drizzle the thickening chocolate glaze over the muffins and place an extra prune on top of each muffin.

Additionally:

• 12 extra prunes, one for the top of each muffin

Enjoy!