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

---

Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Muffins

These muffins are not only tasty, but they're also a... Read More

How to Bake: Easy Sourdough Bread

A customer emailed us and said that her mother loved... Read More

Burmese Shrimp Cake Recipe

Little pounded shrimp balls seasoned and fried till lightly brown.... Read More

London Broil - Garlic

eRix Recipes London broil - Garlic Ingredients: ? 2... Read More

Easy Spaghetti Recipes

Spaghetti has always been a favorite family meal. My teenage... Read More

So, You Have A Crockpot - Now Youll Want Crockpot Recipes

To those of us that don't know, crockpot recipes are... Read More

Ground Turkey Recipes

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

Vegetarian Gourmet----Meatless Makeovers

Three years ago I decided to go "meatless." It wasn't... Read More

Summer Basil Pasta Salad

With the long hot days of summer, you will find... Read More

6 Steps to Beating Childhood Obesity

These days kids would rather spend time on the computer... Read More

Best Recipes: Chicken with Apples

Ingredients1½ cups quick-cooking rice 2 large onions, thinly sliced 250g... Read More

Easy No-Roll Pie Crust

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

Four Easy Zucchini Bread Recipes

Tired of the same old zucchini bread recipe and want... Read More

Tayberry Jam

The taste of Summer, bursting with flavour and anti-oxidant effects.... Read More

Try Truffles!

Want to serve an elegant, yet easy, dessert? Try truffles.... Read More

Rowan Jelly (Mountain Ash - Pyrus aucuparia)

Sharp and sour but sweet and succulent all at the... Read More

Finding the Best Recipes

Trying to find a dynamite recipe to wow guests or... Read More

Parmesan Crusted Sole with Lemon Beurre Blanc

Sole/flounder is a refreshing sweet and mild flavored fish which... Read More

Farm To Market Days

Summer may begin in June but, for many parts of... Read More

Do I Really Need to Follow a Recipe?

These days, its seems like everyone is looking for different... Read More

Low Carb Recipes Actually Taste Great!

Many people are beginning diets that encourage low carb recipes... Read More

Mexican Recipes ? World Class Dishes In Your Kitchen!

Here are two **Must Try** Mexican recipes! They are HOT,... Read More

Chicken Adobo

This particular recipe is Phillipian. Here are the ingredients you... Read More

Dining With The Romans

Numerius was a slave and ate one meal a day... Read More

All About Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry shortcake may be a 200 year-old American invention. With... Read More

Easy, Tasty Chicken Wing Recipes

You can serve chicken wings hot or cold, for a... Read More

Superb Melt In Your Mouth Rolls

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

Use Up Those Leftovers!

Managing leftovers is a challenge we all face! Throwing food... Read More

Cucumbers with Yogurt & Mint

Almost every day I eat with my energy in mind,... Read More

Chicken Recipes That Everyone Enjoys!

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

Cinco de Mayo Recipe

My ex reminded me last week that the holiday that... Read More

Easy Holiday Quick Bread Recipes

Quick breads are a quick, easy accompaniment to any holiday... Read More

Tuna Patties With Lemon Dill Sauce

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