Recipes :: Tasty Muffins

As autumn is just around the corner, I find myself pulling out my favorite recipe books, and flipping through the pages, searching for those yummy recipes that I love to make each and every autumn, as the whether starts to cool, and the air begins to take on a crisp, fresh scent.

Autumn is my favorite time of year to start baking again. During summer, I find that baking is something that is neglected, and forgotten for a time. But with the coming of autumn, I once again find my love for being in the kitchen -- measuring out ingredients, folding in flour, and sprinkling fragrant spices -- and it is always a joy to be back to it.

Life, often times, goes in fazes like this. One such example, for me would be doing my morning devotions. Often times, I wake up, looking forward to my quiet time with Jesus Christ. I find it to be one of those simple pleasures in life, that is most fulfilling. I relish the wisdom, comfort, compassion, love, joy and peace that I find when preforming my devotions. Each and every day in which I accomplish my devotions faithfully, I find that I look forward to it even more the next day. I find that my spirit is constantly refreshed, and newly inspired to live for my Savior -- and I feel as if I would never trade this joy and peace in my heart for anything.

But, so many times, 'summer' comes along, and just the way I find no joy in baking during the summer, as I did in the fall, so it is with doing my devotions. Often times I would rather be getting a little more sleep in the mornings rather then getting up early. Or, I feel as if I have so much computer work to catch up on, that I would rather spend my morning time working on those duties, rather then doing my devotions.

My dear sisters in Christ, we will all go through seasons like this. We will all struggle at certain points in our lives, and we will all fail at times. But I pray that you will never give up -- ever. Just as summer slowly fades into autumn -- so will your trials and failures. Keep on praying for the Lord to help you with what ever you are struggling with right now, and let Him work in your life. He can transform you into something more beautiful then you could have ever imagined. We just need to ask. {Matthew 7:7}

Abundant Blessings,

~ Johanna Rose ~

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Snickerdoodle Muffins

*sigh* I just love snickerdoodle cookies, don't you? Recently I stumbled across a new recipe for snickerdoodle muffins! They turned out scrumptious! Just like the cookie itself, except in a soft muffin form!!

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• ¾ tsp. baking soda
• ¾ tsp. baking powder
• ¾ tsp. cream of tarter
• ¾ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 ¼ c. sour cream
• 2 ¼ c. all purpose flour
• 1 c. sugar + 2 Tbsp. cinnamon, mixed together for rolling

Cream the butter and sugar until soft about 3 to 5 minutes. Add in the vanilla. Add in the eggs one at a time and mix until each is incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder, nutmeg and cream of tarter. Add the flour mixture and the sour cream alternately to the egg-butter mixture in the additions. Start with the flour and end with the flour. Scrape the bowl occasionally.

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out muffin batter one at a time and drop into a shallow bowl filled with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Use your hand, and Roll the muffin around in the mixture until it is covered completely in cinnamon sugar. (tip: touch the doe really lightly, and alternate it between each of your hands quickly, so as not to let it stick to your fingers.) Place muffin into a greased muffin tin. Bake them for approx. 20-22 minutes in a 350 degrees oven or until they are golden brown.

Makes about 12-14 muffins.

Fresh Strawberry Muffins

• 3 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 c. sugar
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1-1/4 c. oil
• 2-1/2 c. fresh strawberries, sliced and slightly mashed

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl, combine eggs and oil. Stir strawberries into egg mixture. Blend egg mixture into flour mix until thoroughly combined; do not over beat. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 min. Makes approximately 2 dozen.

Create Your Own Muffins

This recipe is a perfect choice for those of you who have only a few ingredients on hand -- just because it is so very versatile! If you don't have white sugar on hand, use brown. If you don't have milk, use orange juice. If you don't have butter, use vegetable oil! It is a wonderful recipe for those who have a serge to do baking all of a sudden, but haven't had the time to shop for the required ingredients.

• 3 cups four
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup sugar, or a combination of white and brown sugar in this amount
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted or 1-1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk or cream or orange juice
• 2 eggs, beaten

Combine all dry ingredients. Combine all wet ingredients. Fold wet ingredients into dry and then add 1 cup of any one of the following and mix just until blended ~

• Chopped Nuts
• Berries
• Mashed Bananas
• Mashed Pumpkin
• Zucchini
• Shredded Carrots
• Apples
• Applesauce

Scoop into paper-lined muffin tins (fill about 2/3 full) and bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Makes about 18 muffins.

Pumpkin Muffins

• 1-1/3 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cups butter
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup pumpkin
• 4 Tbsp. milk

Cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs and beat well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In yet another bowl, combine pumpkin and milk. Add flour mixture and pumpkin mixture alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Makes about 2 dozen muffins.

Oatmeal Muffins

• 2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. slat
• 1 tsp. soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder

Mix the first two ingredients together and let stand 45-60 minutes. Add eggs and oil to oatmeal mixture. Mix remaining ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add liquid ingredients, mixing well. Pour into greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about 25 muffins.

Farmhouse Cheddar Muffins

• 2 cups flour
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup chopped onion, sauteed in 2 Tbsp. butter 
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or 1-2 tsp. dill weed

Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and sugar. Add egg, milk, sour cream, butter and cheese. Stir just until blended. Fold in onions and parsley. Bake at 400 degrees in greased muffin tin for about 20 minutes or until golden.

Makes about 1 dozen muffins.