Blueberry Muffins

Jul 18, 2011 by lovelypantry

My children are aware that I can cook and bake so it does not surprise me anymore when they request (or demand) that I make something for them. Not buy. Make. Blueberry muffins were requested of me this time. I grabbed my Cupcakes & Muffin Recipe Book and got to work. I love that the recipes are simple and that I have so many to choose from – 200, in fact. This is actually a condensed version of the book. The larger book had 1000.  They tasted great and as usual, disappeared overnight.

Ingredients:

6 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled

2 Cups All Purpose, Unbleached Flour

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

A Pinch of salt

1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar

1 Cup Blueberries (I used fresh, but you could use frozen too)

2 Eggs

1 Cup Milk

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Finely grated rind of 1 lemon

 

Directions:

I recently purchased a muffin tray with square compartments instead of the traditional circles so I was happy to use it. I like different.

Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a 12 hole muffin pan. Sift together flour,  baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and blueberries.

Place eggs in a large bowl and beat lightly, then beat in the milk, oil, vanilla and lemon rind. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the beaten ingredients. Stir until just combined – do not overmix! This will cause the muffins to have a very firm texture. Spoon the batter into the muffin pan, divided evenly.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well risen, golden brown, and firm to the touch. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Enjoy!

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Brown Butter Banana Muffins

May 23, 2011 by lovelypantry

 

 

Ingredients:

4 Ripe bananas

1/3 Cup Raw Agave Syrup or Honey

1 Stick Unsalted Butter

1 Large Egg

1 3/4 Cups Self Rising Flour

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper muffin liners.

Peel bananas and add to a large bowl. Add agave syrup add mash the bananas with a fork until very liquified but still a little lumpy.

Melt butter in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until milk solids have turned a nutty golden brown.

Too the brown butter, add about 1 cup of the mashed banana mixture and whisk to combine. Cook for a few more minutes until a darker golden colour is achieved. Add to the remaining banana mixture and whisk to combine, then whisk in egg. Fold in the flour, in 2 batches,  with a rubber spatula, until just combined. Do not over mix. With an ice cream scoop, evenly divide the batter among muffin cups.

Bake in the centre of the oven until golden brown and the tops spring back when pressed, about 25 minutes. Cool for 5 mins in the pan, then transfer muffins to a rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Irish Soda Bread

May 22, 2011 by lovelypantry

This recipe was made out of sheer curiosity. I found this recipe in Healthy Eating magazine. It went down well in no time at all! Enjoy.

 

Ingredients:

3/4 Cup Raisins

1 Cup boiling water

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/3 Cup sugar

3 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp Salt

1 Egg

2 Cups Buttermilk

1/4 Cup Butter, melted

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

Place Raisins in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water; let stand for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk and butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raisins.

Transfer to a 9 X 5 inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

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Apple Raisin Mini Muffins

Apr 26, 2011 by lovelypantry

This is a family and crowd favourite adapted from Paula Deen. The original recipe called for walnuts but I try not to bake with nuts. Also, I incorporated whole wheat flour to increase the fiber content. I should probably warn you… These mini-muffins are highly addictive. These Apple Raisin Mini Muffins are a perfect gift too. Guaranteed to please!

 

 

Enjoy these wonderful muffins!

 

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