I love this time of year. Not just because the Christmas holiday season has everyone hustling around, but because its dark when I get home from work and I don't feel the "need" to do anything but cook dinner and curl up in my favorite blue chair in front of the fire. This is my nightly routine and it stirs up memories of cookies baking and the smell of the "warm" spices that I love so much. My "warm" spices are cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. These define the winter months to me. I'm basically addicted to cinnamon. Anything that has this wonderful spice in it, I love. I use it as often as possible.
My friend Donna told me about a Facebook page called The Alchemist. It shares many wonderful recipes. When I saw this recipe, I knew immediately that I had to try it. I think these muffins are pretty close to perfection. I hope you do too!
Spice Muffins:
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla
Topping:
cinnamon sugar
confectioners sugar
water
This recipe makes about 12 muffins.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a muffin tin or use paper muffin cups.
In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients and set aside. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Pour the wet into the dry and stir. Fold gently, just enough to mix. Do not over mix or muffins will be tough. Scoop the mixture into the muffin pan (I use an ice cream scoop). Sprinkle each muffin with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
While muffins are baking, mix a small amount of conf sugar with water. After the muffins have cooked, drizzle this mixture over top.
I hope you enjoy these muffins with a nice cup of coffee in front of your fire!!
Love,
Beth
