Muffins that taste like donuts

 

Some of you probably remember the cookbook Muffin Mania that came out quite a few years ago. It was a Canadian publication and there were many excellent recipes to try out. One of them that I quite enjoy making are Muffins that taste like donuts. They are fairly dense and simple but are elevated by the addition of raspberry jam in the middle. The original recipe called for way too much sugar in the topping. I cut it down and still had more than enough. Give this recipe a try.

Muffins that taste like donuts

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup white sugar (first amount)

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup melted butter

1/3 cup white sugar 

1 tsp cinnamon

In a bowl combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Add liquid

to dry and stir to combine. Fill tins half full of batter, add 1 tsp of jam, then top with the rest of the batter.

Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Makes smallish 12 muffins

Immediately turn out and dip in melted butter, then cinnamon/sugar mixture.  

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Wow, I was on a roll in January. 10 posts in a month. See if I can keep up the pace for February.
Let's start with this cake...... YUM! It's like walking through the Mall and getting closer and closer to the Cinnabon kiosk then you realize you're in your own home. Not only does it smell delightful but it tastes delightful also. You think you're eating a cinnamon roll then you realize that it actually has the texture of a cake. I'll be making this one again for sure.

Cinnamon Roll Cake
Cake
3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted

Topping
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Mix everything together for cake except butter. Slowly stir in melted butter and pour into greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350F for 28-32 minutes.

Glaze
2 cups icing sugar
5 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
While warm drizzle over cake.

Here it is after it came out of the oven...

Snickerdoodle Blondies

These squares remind me exactly of the speculaas cookies, otherwise known as Windmill cookies, that I enjoyed so much with sweet tea when I was growing up (and when I was older too). These are much softer then the traditional cookie but have the same yummy spices as the original.

Snickerdoodle Blondies
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping
2 Tbsp. white sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Mix together dry ingredients and add slowly to creamed mixture. Spread dough evenly in greased 9 x 13 pan. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the batter. Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed.