Invisible Apple Muffins

September 14, 2014February 23, 2015 Muffin MamaLeave a comment

Some kids don’t like “chunks.” These muffins are silky smooth and moist and still contain apples, just not in chunk form.

The sandy texture of the cinnamon/sugar on top may not go over well with toddlers. If that’s the case in your home, omit this delicious touch, and they’ll devour the invisible apples.

You can cut a dip in the “core” of the muffin and fill with jam. Serve with sliced apples or fruit on the side for even more servings of fruit.

Invisible Apple Muffins (makes 18)

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup applesauce

Topping

1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift flour and sugar and mix well.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients, add applesauce, and stir well to combine.
5. Spoon batter into greased muffin pan, filling each muffin cup about 2/3 full.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar topping (optional – see above).
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a knife inserted into the muffin comes out clean.

Honey Muffins

September 13, 2014February 23, 2015 Muffin MamaLeave a comment

The honey flavor is outstanding in this recipe. These muffins are tender and delicious. They are light, fluffy, super easy to make, and lovely when warm, right out of the oven. Serve them warm with a little honey and butter drizzled over them or use a knife to insert a small pat of butter while they’re still hot.

This simple, delicious recipe is perfect for Rosh Hashana or just because. Start your own tradition by serving muffins instead of honey cake. These will definitely become a family favorite.

Honey Muffins (makes 12)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, butter, and honey.
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened.
5. Fill prepared muffin cups three-fourths full.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from pan to a wire rack.

Chocolate Avocado Muffins

September 9, 2014February 23, 2015 Muffin Mama1 Comment

Trust me, you are going to want to eat these muffins morning, noon, and night, whether you like avocado or not. If the rich, deep chocolate flavor is not reason alone, the healthful properties of these muffins add more fuel to a daily diet of avocado in a chocolate muffin. These muffins are unbelievably rich; your kids will detect no hint of green.

Fun Facts about Chocolate and Avocado

-Both chocolate and avocado are full of antioxidants. In fact, avocados are among the most antioxidant-rich foods.

-Fat is an important part of a healthy diet, especially for children. The healthy fat of the avocado helps lower cholesterol.

-Avocados are an excellent source of fiber and folic acid. They contain several kinds of carotenoids, including lutein, which is essential for eye health.

-Aside from being irresistibly delicious, chocolate contains serotonin, which stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure.

Sink your teeth into these muffins!

Chocolate Avocado Muffins (makes 18)

1 avocado, ripe
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup canola oil or unsalted butter, melted and at room temperature
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk
2 2/3 flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups frozen raspberries (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin pans with cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix avocado and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs, butter, vanilla, and milk.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture, mixing just until moistened.
5. Fold in optional ingredients (raspberries or chocolate chips or both).
6. Spoon batter into greased muffin pan, filling each muffin cup about 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Lemon Ricotta Muffins

September 5, 2014October 3, 2014 Muffin Mama1 Comment

A wonderful way to start the day, these refreshing lemony ricotta muffins look fancy and taste delicious. Without the lemon, this recipe makes a great ricotta muffin. The almonds on top look great and add even more protein.

*Note: Omit almonds for young children.

Lemon Ricotta Muffins (makes 12)

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar (plus more for sprinkling)
1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), melted and cooled to room temperature
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp lemon zest, finely grated (from 2 lemons)
1 egg
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/3 cup sliced almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the ricotta cheese and lemon zest. Add the egg, lemon juice, and almond extract.
4. Add the flour mixture to the ricotta mixture and stir until just blended. This is a thick batter.
5. Using and ice cream scooper, divide the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the almonds and extra sugar on top. Prod almonds into batter, slightly.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until the muffins are a pale golden color.

Green Monster Smoothie Muffins

September 2, 2014February 6, 2015 Muffin Mama2 Comments

My kids won’t touch spinach, but in a muffin, anything goes. I personally never got into the smoothie rage. I don’t like drinking my food and my kids are scared of monsters.

These super green muffins are sweet-like-cake and packed with protein and vegetables. Plus, calling anything “monster” piques a child’s interest.

Green Monster Smoothie Muffins (makes 12)

3 ripe bananas
2 cups baby spinach
1 6oz container greek yogurt
1 Tbsp peanut butter
1 Tbsp honey
¾ cups flour
6 Tbsp sugar
1 egg
1/8 cup canola oil
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. In a blender, puree the bananas, spinach, yogurt, peanut butter and honey.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, egg, oil, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Pour the smoothie mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.
7. Allow muffins to cool before removing them from the pan.

Fluffernutter Muffins

August 26, 2014October 3, 2014 Muffin MamaLeave a comment

A Fluffernutter, for the uninitiated, is a sandwich made of marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter. Because it’s simple to make and requires very few ingredients, the Fluffernutter was always a staple in my mother’s kitchen. As a kid, I loved Fluffernutter sandwiches. How could a sandwich called “Fluffernutter” be anything but delicious?

To these muffins, I’ve added banana to improve the creamy texture and wonderful flavor. I like to warm these in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds so the marshmallow on top is gooey. Michael loves licking the melted marshmallow on top before devouring the rest. Thank goodness, Joey overcame his initial discomfort with the sticky consistency of melted marshmallow. These muffins are a staple in our home. Discover which filling and toppings work for you!

Fluffernutter Muffins (makes 12)

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 medium bananas, mashed
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
¼ cup marshmallow cream
½ cup small marshmallows OR 12 large marshmallows (optional)
½ cup peanut butter chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine banana, peanut butter, brown sugar and oil until creamy. Add egg.
4. Add wet mixture to flour mixture, alternating with milk.
5. Divide 1/3 of the batter into muffin cup bottoms.
6. Place one heaping teaspoon of marshmallow cream and a few small marshmallows (optional) into each center.
7. Top with remaining muffin batter.
8. Place about 3-4 small marshmallows AND/OR 1 large marshmallow AND/OR some peanut butter chips on each muffin top and prod into batter (optional).
9. Bake 20-22 minutes or until light golden brown and risen.
10. Allow to cool 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.

French Toast Muffins

August 21, 2014February 22, 2015 Muffin MamaLeave a comment

French toast is the ultimate comfort food. I craved it, and ate it, throughout my entire pregnancy. No wonder my kids have been fans of French Toast ever since they started solid food. These “cakes” taste exactly like my favorite French toast but with a finer texture. They are super portable – can be toted to the office or packed for a morning playdate or Sunday picnic.

Both toppings below are equally delicious. The first is a cinnamon and sugar glaze, and the second combines the traditional tastes associated with French Toast: drizzled maple syrup and powdered sugar. As on French toast, apply the topping by drizzling. Or, dip each muffin into a puddle of maple syrup and a mound of powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar mixture.

French Toast Muffins (makes 10)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Make a well in the center of the mixture.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together egg, milk, and melted butter.
4. Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir until just moistened (batter may be lumpy).
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Top each muffin with one of the two coatings (recipes below) and serve warm.

Topping 1: Cinnamon Sugar Coating

1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, melted

1. In a bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl, melt butter.
3. Dip tops of finished muffins in the melted butter, and then in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Topping 2: Maple Sugar Coating

maple syrup (good quality)
confectioners’ sugar for dusting

1. With a toothpick, poke a few holes in muffin tops.
2. Use a spoon to drizzle syrup over muffin tops.
3. Sprinkle powdered sugar on tops.

Muffin Mama

Recipes for little hands (and grown-ups, too)

Tag: Sweet Muffins