Writing Papers, Making Muffins

I'm in the middle of writing four papers. Count 'em, four. I don't want to write these papers. I just want to make these muffins.


Is that too much to ask? Of course not.






Browned Butter Blueberry"Mixed Berry" Muffins

Be Happy

The last few weeks have been a crazy, hectic whirlwind of classes, work, baking and so many other things I don't even know where to start. It's so busy that I think I need one of those handy-dandy planners that has your COMPLETE day planned out, from waking up to eating dinner. Something like, "8:00a.m.-wake up, 8:30a.m.-breakfast, 9:00a.m.-class, 11:00a.m-tutoring session, 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m.-work, etc, etc...."
You get the idea.
My weeks are draining, physically (I haven't been able to find time to run/bike) and emotionally (laughing, crying, I've done it all).
But you know what? I love it. I love where I'm at. I love being ridiculously busy with school and work. I love (most) of my classes. I love my job and the people I work with. I love my new house. I love baking in my new oven. I love that I stayed up til 5:ooa.m. this morning (yes, I am draggingggg) talking about faith and all the things life throws at us. I love that these sometimes frustrating, tiring, tiny things make me happy. I love being happy.

This recipe will most definitely make you happy. If an Almond Joy was in bread form, this is exactly what it would taste like. I made it a few weeks ago and baked it in a loaf pan, therefore making it kind of a quick bread?
This second time around I used muffin pans. So it was like a muffin? I honestly have no clue what to call it. Muffins? Cupcakes? Quick bread? Candycakes? Whatever it is it's delicious. So delicious my brother will snarf down about 3 in one setting and make my friend sigh after taking one bite. Yes, that good. It has the texture of a muffin, but tastes like a piece of cake. So you could disguise it as "breakfast." I know, SUPER idea.
Now, how can I do this with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup? Hmmm....
Almond Joy "Muffins"
adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody
makes about 2 dozen

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
¾ cup canola oil
¼ cup melted unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp coconut extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sweetened coconut
½ cup raw almonds, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips

Combine the first 6 ingredients into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat ingredients on medium speed for 2 minutes.
In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Starting with the flour mixture alternate flour, buttermilk, flour, buttermilk and flour…in that order. Mix until just combined.
Fold in coconut, chocolate chips and almonds.
Pour into muffin pans that have been greased and floured. Bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes.
Remove from oven and place on rack to dry. While muffins are still warm, poke several holes in the top of the muffins with a wooden skewers. Drizzle Coconut Glaze(recipe follows) into the holes. Finish glazing muffins by taking a pastry brush and brushing on remaining glaze(as much or as little as you would like). When muffins are completely cool, drizzle chocolate ganache over the tops.

Coconut Glaze

1 cup sugar
½ cup water
1 TBSP unsalted butter
1 tsp coconut extract

Place ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Allow to boil for about a minute. Turn heat off but leave saucepan on burner. Glaze muffins as instructed above.

Chocolate Ganache

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
¾ cup heavy cream

Place chocolate into a bowl. Place cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Once cream has boiled pour over chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes.
Stir with whisk until smooth and glossy.

Nieces, Elmo and Muffins, Dang Good Muffins

This curly, red-headed child is my niece.

Isn't she adorable? And ornery? This Elmo-lovin', Yo Gabba Gabba watchin', puppy wranglin', little girl turned three. I can't believe three years ago we welcomed this precious gift into the world and I filled the role of "aunt." I have had a blast, absolute blast watching her grow up. From scooting her butt across the floor, to walking and now, running (incredibly fast, might I say), she has been a delight. She has also been fun to shop for. Anytime I go into a childrens' clothing or toy store, I immediately see five things I want to buy for her. I had trouble this year, though, deciding what to get her for turning three. Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this in the local candy shop...

My niece LOVES Elmo and LOVES candy, so it was a no-brainer. I bought the lunchbox and filled that puppy with all sorts of goodies. Skittles, Jelly Belly's, Starbursts, M&Ms, Tootsie Pops, and candy necklaces/lipstick (throwbacks, heck yes!)

I can't wait to see her face when she opens it. What kid wouldn't go nuts for a ton of candy? Her daddy, my bro, may not appreciate it as much as her, so I will present him with these delicious Browned Butter Blueberry Muffins as a peace offering. And maybe a candy necklace.

There's not much to be said about these muffins, other than that they are yummy.

Bursting with butter and blueberries they are close to perfection.

What? A little extra butter never hurt anyone. :)

Browned Butter Fresh Blueberry Muffins

adapted from The Gourmet Cookbook

makes 12 muffins

7 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup whole milk

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups fresh blueberries

For the Topping:

3 Tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Put a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin pan with paper or foil liners

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on the butter. Melt and cook down the butter until little brown bits appear in the pan. The crackling will subside and butter will begin to brown fairly quickly after that. Remove from heat.

Whisk milk, egg, yolk and vanilla until combined. Add the brown butter and stir to combine.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl Add milk and butter mixture all at one and stir gently to combine. Gently but thoroughly fold in the blueberries.

Divide the batter among muffin cups and spread evenly.

To make the topping combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and crumble together with your fingertips. Sprinkle crumble mixture evenly over the batter in the cups.

Bake until golden and crisp and a wooden pick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes then remove from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.