Fancy Up Your Muffins

We introduced muffins to you last week and many of you bought our new Apple Oat Muffin Mix. Now we're going to tell you how to "fancy up" your muffins. We'll show you how to add a touch of orange to your muffins, put a fancy graham crumb topping on them, or top them with cream cheese. You can do this with your Apple Oat Muffins or a recipe of your choice.

First, for the orange muffins . . .

Pick a recipe that uses baking soda (or baking soda and baking powder) as a leavener. Baking soda is alkaline and needs an acid to complete the chemical reaction that causes the bubbles. Buttermilk is the acid most often used. Since orange juice is an acid, you can use that in place of buttermilk. Add a streusel topping and include one tablespoon of orange zest.

Here is a streusel topping mix that works well:

Orange Nut Streusel Topping

1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoon orange zest (the zest from one large orange)
1 tablespoon cold butter

1. Chop the walnuts into small pieces.

2. Stir the walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest together.

3. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry knife or two table knives.

4. Spoon the streusel mixture over the muffin batter evenly before baking.

To put a fancy graham crumb topping on your muffins . . .

Oat-Graham-Brown Sugar Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 sheets of graham crackers, crushed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut in pieces

1. Mix the first four ingredients together.

2. Cut the butter in with a pastry knife.

3. Spoon on top of the muffins.

4. Bake as directed.

To put a cream cheese frosting on your muffins . . .

Cream Cheese Topping

8 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar

Directions

1. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft

2. Add the other ingredients and continue beating until the mixture becomes soft and smooth.

3. Spoon the mixture over the top of the muffins.

4. Bake as directed. The topping will increase baking time by at least several minutes. Be sure and test the muffins for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center of the largest muffin. If it does not come out clean, continue baking.

For more articles like this visit The Bakers' Library.

© 2004 The Prepared Pantry

---

Chinese Dumplings on Chinese New Year

One of my fondest childhood memories is the celebrations around... Read More

Chicken Recipes That Everyone Enjoys!

Chicken recipes are a stable in many people's diets. Many... Read More

Teas from Wild Plants and Their Benefits

All these teas (unless specified) are brewed with one teaspoon... Read More

Steaks

Eating steak has always been a symbol of prosperity. During... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Fish In Orange Sauce

Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss... Read More

Low Fat, Low Carb Baked Tortilla Chip with a Mango Salsa Dressing

Many low fat low cholesterol recipes are usually bland and... Read More

In Grandmas Kitchen (Part I)

One of my fondest childhood memories is being in the... Read More

Holiday Leftover Ideas

The holidays are a time for friends and family and... Read More

Superb Melt In Your Mouth Rolls

SERVING SIZE,one roll (of 18). CARBS PER SERVING,: 2.8 grams... Read More

Rockfish Bessie

Ingredients 5-6 lbs. Whole Rockfish 1 Onion 1 Lemon... Read More

Easy No-Roll Pie Crust

EASY No-Roll Pie Crust3 cups flour1 teaspoon salt2 teaspoons sugar2/3... Read More

Famous Secret Recipes Exposed!: Rosemary Chicken with Orange-Maple Glaze

Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In:... Read More

Mediterranean Grilled Vegetable Soup

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five elements... Read More

Kid Party Food - Without the Stress!

Kid party food doesn't have to take hours to prepare... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Whole Fish In Ginger Sauce

Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss... Read More

Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts around today.... Read More

Crab Stuffed Salmon with Lobster Sauce

I served this dish at an event I catered and... Read More

Basic Quick Mix and Recipes

With an easy basic quick mix, you can make a... Read More

Low Carb Christmas Enchiladas!

FELIZ NAVIDAD...IT'S A LOW CARB CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS FIESTA!We low carbers... Read More

A Simple Technique to Remember Grocery Items

Whoops! I Forgot the ... at the Grocery Store!Have you... Read More

What Wise Guys Eat

When I lived in the North End of Boston, in... Read More

Spanish Food - The Tasty Tortilla

It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot... Read More

Frugal and Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

Here it is - that time of year when everyone's... Read More

Crockpot Cooking - Advantages and Disadvantages

In my 'un-biased' opinion, the crockpot / slow cooker is... Read More

Shrimp Scampi Recipes

Many people have different ideas on how to prepare great... Read More

Braised Fish in Soy Sauce (Hong Shao Yu)

Braised fish in soy sauce is the basic craft of... Read More

Staight Talk from a Comfort Foodie: World Peace Through Vegetarianism

I became a vegetarian in the early 80's. The Czech... Read More

Ground Turkey Recipes

Our family has recently made the switch from ground beef... Read More

The Untold Secrets To Making Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Have you ever wondered if there was a healthful alternative... Read More

Straight Talk from a Comfort Foodie - Simpler Times

When it was unfolding, I never thought I lived in... Read More

Fortunate Lemon Chicken

A delicious chicken meal for you to prepare at home.... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Chicken Tikka

Long term weight loss isn't about hunger, misery and crash... Read More

Canarian Recipes for Shrove Tuesday

For the British at least, Shrove Tuesday is probably better... Read More