The Great Wright Family Bakeoff!

Last week we watched the finale of The Great Australian Bakeoff. We got right into watching the show, which is quite unlike us - we usually don't go for reality TV. I'm not sure what it was about this show that hooked us - it could've been the delicious things they baked through the series, or maybe the corny jokes the host Shane Jocobson liked to crack, maybe it was the cruel judging reminiscent of country shows, or perhaps it was the gorgeous vintage décor (seriously, bunting made from vintage Australiana tea towels - too cute). Whatever it was, this reality TV meets the CWA show had us hooked enough to record it for the kids each week and watch it all together.

We loved it so much that we decided to have our own bake off - a muffin bake off. 

Last week, all for of us submitted a muffin flavour so that I could shop for any special ingredients. Then, yesterday morning (after brief Father's Day celebrations), we set up our kitchen for the baking. 

I supplied a basic muffin recipe, and each of us followed that recipe with our own flavours and variations. 

Stu and Jamie went first. They chopped, measured and mixed until they put their trays of muffins in the oven. Then it was mine and Lachie's turn to start baking.
 

Two hours later, 46 muffins had been baked and cooled and we'd each selected our best three to present for judging. 

Jamie presented some beautiful Jaffa muffins - flavoured with fresh orange juice and zest and dotted with chocolate chips. 

Lachie created a family favourite - chocolate, choc chip muffins. He added a few special caramel choc chips to the top of each and presented them beautifully on his choc chip leaf plate. 

Stu's muffins stole the show for looks - raspberry white choc muffins presented in a snow storm of grated white chocolate. 

And I tempted us all with the scent of warm cinnamon sugar with my jam donut flavoured muffins - a spoonful of strawberry jam in a lightly spiced muffin topped with melted butter and lots of cinnamon sugar. 

Tasting and judging was rather fun - I think the fact that we all got to eat our creations made us all winners!  But the judging was close (and sometimes harsh!), but there was a clear winner - Jamie's Jaffa flavoured muffins. 

Gotta say, I was very impressed with everyone's efforts. Every batch was moist and delicious. 

Lots of fun, with the bonus of a freezer full of muffin deliciousness for the week ahead's lunch boxes. It was such good family fun that we're already planning our next bakeoff......

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Our Basic Muffin Recipe

• 1 1/2 cups SR flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp. oil
• + flavourings of your choice

(try cocoa and choc chips, replacing some of the milk with orange juice and adding choc chips, spices and jam or white chocolate and berries)

1. Mix together all of the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Mix wet ingredients in a measuring jug.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined (don't over mix or you'll make tough muffins!).
4. Spoon mixture into muffin cups until about 1/2-2/3 full (we made 10-12 muffins with each batch).
5. Bake at 200C for 15-20min until lightly browned and springy.
6. Cool, decorate and serve.