Olive Oil Muffins with Grapes and Fennel

Yields 12 medium muffins

Topping
1/3 cup (66 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp dried fennel seeds
1 1/2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

Muffins
1 1/2 cup (225–250 g) grapes, such as Thomcord—larger varieties should be halved, smaller...
1 cup (225 g) extra-virgin olive oil
2 cup (250 g) all-purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons, divided
1 cup (240 g) sour cream
3 lg eggs
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt

Heat the oven to 325°F. Prepare a muffin pan by greasing it.

Make the fennel sugar topping. Use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to grind the fennel down to a coarse powder. In a small mixing bowl, use your hands to rub the ground fennel into the sugar and salt until the mixture is fragrant. Add in the 1½ teaspoons of olive oil and stir with a spoon until the mixture takes on the texture of wet sand. Set aside.

Make muffins. Toss the grapes with 2 teaspoons of flour and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, sugar, salt, baking powder, and eggs and whisk until well combined—the mixture should be thick and glossy. Add the sour cream and whisk until homogenous. Then add the flour and whisk until just combined before gently mixing in the floured grapes. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place the floured grapes on top. Evenly distribute the fennel sugar over the batter. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the muffin comes out clean. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before removing the muffins from the pan. Serve at room temperature.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Idea for the recipe comes from Taste cooking