Lychee Muffins

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. 2
   Mix cake flour and baking powder together in a large bowl.
3. 3
   Strain lychees into a bowl, reserving canning liquid. Pat lychees dry with a paper towel; cut into small pieces. Add 3/4 of the pieces to the flour mixture; toss lightly.
4. 4
   Whisk sugar and egg together in a bowl until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Stir in 5 tablespoons of the reserved canning liquid, butter, and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture; stir batter until just moistened.
5. 5
   Spoon batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each liner 3/4 full. Scatter remaining lychee pieces on top.
6. 6
   Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.