Nothing like kitsch kitchen utensils to inspire some baking. I have utensil envy of Ruth’s new ‘matryoshka doll’ measuring cups. Each head and bottom section is a different measurement! The muffin recipe is the one from the Edmonds cookbook, with dates and some ground linseed added. Ruth says: “It pretty much always works!”

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups bran
3 tablespoons ground linseed
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
1 egg

Turn oven to 220C. Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl. Mix in sugar, bran, linseed and chopped dates. Melt golden syrup and butter together. Dissolve soda in milk. Add these with the egg to the dry ingredients. Mix quickly, just enough to combine. Spoon into greased patty tins. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 10.