Special recipe for Shawn Mendes Muffins
Learn how to make these easy gluten free muffins
Hi there, we are chuffed to bits to collaborate with Heart Breakfast Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden to bring you this extra special, exclusive Shawn Mendes Muffin recipe!
We got a phone call over the weekend from Heart Radio asking if we could possibly devise a Dorset inspired cake especially for Shawn who has family living in Dorset, so we were extra keen to be involved.
We hear that Shawn is gluten intolerant so he can safely enjoy these muffins without any issues. Instead of flour, they are made with gluten free ground almonds.
After being asked to create a special surprise cake recipe, inspiration came pretty quickly. With Shawn’s family ties to this beautiful county, why not create the Shawn Mendes Muffin and base it on the famous Dorset apple cake? A little bird told us that he loves muffins so we added a little bit of Dorset tradition for something really special. With Autumn here, it’s the perfect time of year to make use of any spare apples you might have. Any variety will do.
A brief history of the Dorset apple cake
After a little online reading, it looks like an apple cake tart or pie, has been in existence as long as apples have been cultivated. Chaucer mentions an apple pie recipe from 1381,
‘The 1381 recipe lists the ingredients as good apples, good spices, figs, raisins and pears. The cofyn of the recipe is a casing of pastry. Saffron is used for colouring the pie filling.’ This is quoted from Davids vintage recipes blog.
Back in the day, orchards were abundant in the West country and Kent. It makes sense therefore, that lots of interesting apple based recipes were devised to use up the spare fruit.
Traditional Dorset apple cake ingredients
Opinion seems to vary on what a traditional Dorset apple cake actually is. Some recipes call for cinnamon, dried fruit and lemon zest whilst other are plainer. We thought that for Shawn, we’d push the boat out and pop pretty much everything into the mix! We’ve included sultanas, mixed spice, lemon zest and lots of genuine Dorset apples picked here on the farm.
How long will these gluten free muffins take to make?
Once you’ve weighed out your ingredients this is a super easy, one bowl wonder. It takes a couple of minutes tops to mix it and then 24 minutes to half an hour to bake. So it’s really quick and simple with maximum gluten free kudos.
Two gluten free recipes in one
You can make either 12 muffins or 1 x tray bake from this recipe. You just need to bake the tray bake for an extra 5-10 minutes.
Can I swap these gluten free ingredients about?
Yes, this is a very adaptable recipe and you can make it with regular flour if being gluten free is not an issue for you. I wouldn’t skip the apples though!
I’ve popped swapsie ingredient ideas in brackets and also included nut free alternatives.
The kit required to bake the muffins is simple
- 1 x mixing bowl
- 1 x 12 hole muffin pan or 1 x tray bake tin
- Hand mixer or wooden spoon
The ingredients to make your gluten free Shawn Mendes muffins
- 175g melted butter (or go dairy free with rapeseed or sunflower oil)
- 4 free range eggs
- 175g Muscovado sugar (any sugar will do to be honest. The darker the colour, the more caramel/toffee the flavours will be)
- 225g ground almonds (or for nut free use any gluten free plain flour. Or try Linwoods milled seed blends)
- 1½ tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 1½ tsp gluten free baking powder
- 200g apple, grated (any varieties will work)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon (or use mixed spice)
- Zest of 1 lemon (or orange)
- 100g sultanas (or dried cranberries or raisins)
- 40g pumpkin seeds for sprinkling on top (optional)
How to make your Shawn Mendes apple muffins
- Pre heat your oven to 170°C / Gas 3
- Brush your muffin pan or tray bake tin with oil.
- Place all the muffin ingredients, except the grated apple, in your bowl. Mix thoroughly using an electric mixer or wooden spoon. Mix thoroughly, then add your grated apple and stir this in with a wooden spoon.
- Spoon this mixture into your muffin pan or tray bake tin.
- Bake for 24 minutes (muffins) and an extra 5-10 mins for your tray bake.
- 5 minutes before the end of the baking time, sprinkle your pumpkin seeds over the muffins or tray bake.
- Cakes need to be springy and a dark golden colour when ready.
TOP TIPS
- For extra Oooh La La you can top your muffins with extra muscovado sugar and chunks of apple.
- For a great range of tray bake tins jars try Harts of Stur – they are our local go to for kitchen kit and are lovely people to boot! Based in Dorset, they are a family run firm employing local people.
- If you are too busy to make your own muffins then head over to our online shop for ready made Apple Crumble Bar traybakes. They’re gluten free and vegan to boot.
- Read Em’s behind the scenes blog about the trials and tribulations of coming up with a recipe for Shawn’s Muffins in under 24 hours!
Comment below and share what your favourite part of this recipe is! Be sure to share this recipe with a friend too! Thanks for reading!
Emma Goss Custard
