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Cape Gooseberry Muffins

Cape Gooseberry Muffins is a modern South African recipe for a classic cupcake topped with halved physalis (cape gooseberries) before baking. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic South African version of: Cape Gooseberry Muffins.

prep time

20 minutes

cook time

30 minutes

Total Time:

50 minutes

Makes:

6

Rating:

Tags : Baking RecipesCake RecipesSouth-africa Recipes

The physalis or cape gooseberry represents a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which grow in warm temperate and subtropical regions of the world. Physalis peruviana is one of the most commonly eaten and it’s the one grown in South Africa. The Cape gooseberry is native to the Americas, but is commonly grown in many subtropical areas. Its use in South Africa near the Cape of Good Hope inspired its common name. It bears a relatively tart fruit which can be used as a substitute for true gooseberry (a fruit of bushes in the Ribes genus). As true gooseberries are not really available in South Africa, I began using Cape gooseberries, when in season, as a local substitute.

Ingredients:

50g (1/4 cup) butter, at room temperature
100g (1/2 cup) sugar (plus more for sprinkling)
1 egg
140g (1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
60ml (1/4 cup) whole milk
12 whole physalis (Cape gooseberries) with husks removed, halved

Method:

Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and beat thoroughly until combined.

Sift together the dry ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine. Add half the dry ingredients alternately with half of the milk, beating after each addition.

Fold in the halved physalis then spoon into a 6 cup silicone muffin tin that’s been greased with baking spray. Sprinkle the top of each with a pinch of sugar.

Transfer to an oven pre-heated 190C (375*F) and bake 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the muffins emerges cleanly.

Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm