Fruitcake Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
For the Muffins:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk (or milk mixed with 1/2 teaspoon vinegar)
1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, and chopped apricots)
½ cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
¼ cup candied fruit (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A splash of milk (if needed for consistency)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits, chopped nuts, and candied fruit (if using).
Fill Muffin Tin: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Frost the Muffins: Once the muffins are completely cool, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top of each muffin.
Tips:
You can customize the dried fruits and nuts based on your preferences.
For added flavor, consider adding a splash of orange juice or zest to the muffin batter or frosting.