Category “Muffins”

Friday, 3 July, 2009

Another Blueberry Muffin Recipe

There is nothing better on a summer morning than freshly baked blueberry muffins made with perfectly ripe berries at the peak of their season. I’m taking advantage of this time of year to test out a few different muffin recipes so that I can pick out my favorite. It’s so difficult with all the fun varieties out there to pick a favorite – these are tender and buttery, fluffy and moist on the inside with a nice crispy top – absolutely heavenly. But I also like my blueberry streusel muffins, too!! I think both recipes have earned a place in my muffin rotation!

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Tuesday, 23 June, 2009

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Growing up in Atlanta, we lived next door to a wonderful family – the Fullers. They had a son my older brother’s age and a daughter my age. Their daughter and I were both blond little babies, and our moms would dress us in the same outfits from Laura Ashley, send us to ballet class together, and let us have sleepovers. We were flippin’ adorable!

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Monday, 6 April, 2009

Applesauce Spice, and Everything Nice

These perfect little guys are the best for popping into your mouth as you run out the door in the morning. Hot out of the oven, they fill the house with an unbelievably comforting scent of apples, spices, and homey goodness. Their edges are ever so slightly crispy, their centers are as moist and light as a cloud. You are going to


Applesauce Spice Muffins

from my Auntie Heather

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups applesauce
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, if desired
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large electric mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar at medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, then add the applesauce, mixing to combine.

In a separate blow, conbine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Add to the creamed mixture, stirring unti lcombined. Stir in nuts, if desired.

Fill well-greased mini-muffin tins 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 14-15 minutes.

This batter will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge. The muffins also freeze very well. Pop them straight into the freezer when they come out of the oven, then package them in freezer-safe packaging. Store for up to 3 months.

Thursday, 12 March, 2009

Doing small things in a great way . . .

Here is a fun mini-muffin recipe that I made with some more ripe bananas I wanted to use up. It is based on my Banana Cake recipe, but I’ve added nuts and spices to make a tender, hearty, cozy morning treat.

Banana-Nut Spice Mini-Muffins

2 1/4 cups flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Powdered sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your mini-muffin tin with cooking spray or line each cup with a parchment liner.

Measure all ingredients into a large electric mixer bowl. Blend for 30 seconds on low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Next, beat for three minutes on high speed. Fill mini-muffin tins about 2/3 of the way full.

Bake 15-20 minutes, or until slightly golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on racks.

When muffins are completely cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve!

Note: If you would like to adapt this recipe for regular-sized muffins, simply increase the baking time to 20-25 minutes!

Monday, 16 February, 2009

Blueberries, Bananas, and Oats – Oh My!

These muffins are chock-full of some of my favorite ingredients. I combined about 5 recipes to come up with this one so that I could get all of my favorite things in one healthy muffin! Crispy on top, fluffy in the middle, and full of delicious flavor. You will never be able to tell that these are low in fat and high in fiber!
VV Tip: If you ever end up with that one lonely banana left over that turns brown, throw it in the freezer. This way, you can keep your bananas perfectly ripe until you’re ready to bake something with them! I usually freeze one here and there until I have enough to make some banana bread or some muffins.

Banana-Blueberry-Oat Muffins

1 1/2 cups 100% whole wheat flour
1 cup oats, rolled or quick
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1/4 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup buttermilk or fat free sour cream
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line or grease the wells of a cupcake pan.
In a large bowl combine flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk until completely combined.
In a small bowl, beat together eggs, applesauce, sour cream, and bananas. Pour the liquid ingredients into the bowl containing the dry ingredients and stir until almost completely moistened. Add the blueberries and continue stirring JUST until completely moistened. Your batter should be lumpy. Don’t over-mix or your muffins will be rubbery.
Fill muffin cups about 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
You can mix up the batter the night before and bake the muffins fresh in the morning. They also freeze very well.