Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Sugar and Spice. . .



Abby Lab here.  Dad has taken to requesting a muffin packed into his lunch to eat mid morning (at which time his 5:30 a.m. bowl o'Grape Nuts has worn off). Since Mom loves to bake, not a problem, but she tries to make different recipes so he's not eating the same kind every day as muffins freeze well, and I can keep an assortment of types on hand.

This was this weekends Mom

experiment and it turned out VERY tasty. I'd not call it a particularly healthy muffin (you could replace some of the butter with more applesauce and reduce the sugar) but Dad requested Mom keeps it just the way it is. The spice mixture, though, really makes them zing and the butter makes the edges sort of crisp like really good cornbread gets when you bake it in a cast iron skillet

Applesauce Spice Muffins

In a small bowl mix:

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking SODA (NOT baking powder)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamom (it's a Scandinavian spice and most larger grocers should carry)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg


In big microwave safe bowl:

soften one stick of butter in the microwave until just starting to melt
Cream, which means mix the "HBO word" out of it with an electric hand mixture set on high - both the softened stick of butter and  1 cup of sugar.
then on lower speed, mix in:
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup applesauce.

Hand stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until you no longer see any raw flour bits and dough is uniformly moist.

Spoon into a dozen muffin cups sprayed with non-stick spray.  Sprinkle tops with a pinch or two of sugar on each one.

Bake in preheated 350-degree  F. oven for 22-24 minutes until the edges are lightly brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Set on top of a wire rack until somewhat cool then remove to a plate.

11 comments:

  1. I have been wanting muffins, may try this recipe out!

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  2. OMD Abby... your dad likes Grape Nuts??? Our MOM loves those... she puts on the milk and then puts the whole "MESS" into the Microwave to make HOT Cereal. Does your dad do that, too????

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    1. Dad has not tried that, but now he says he's going to. He never eats any cereal but Grape Nuts.

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  3. Looks delicious and we bet your dad likes it extra cuz your mom makes it for him!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  4. YUM! Had HER at cinnamon. May have to try that recipe!

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  5. When Mom lived back in Massachusetts many years ago, there was a German bakery that had the most delicious applesauce loaf. She will have to try your muffins too.

    Woos - Lightning and Misty

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  6. Sounds extra yummy! (Cardamom is commonly used in Indian foods too.)

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    Replies
    1. I didn't know that. My Mom was Swedish/Norwegian and when Dad remarried after she died, my stepmom was Norwegian so Cardamom was used often. LB

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  7. YUM we need to cardamom from the store,
    then we can make these too.

    xo Astro

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    Replies
    1. If you ever drive south and West to Astoria, there is this little bakery on the left side of the road, JUST as you enter Astoria that makes THE best cardamom bread loaves!

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  8. that's a super recipe... and now the mama sings that song in my ears the whole time... hope I can find the mute button ;o)

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