Glazed Doughnut Muffins

I made these muffins on Monday afternoon.  The kids got out of school early so my son had a bunch of friends over to play "Munchkin" which is some kind of card game they like.  They mostly played basketball and video games with maybe half an hour devoted to the card game.  No matter.  I wasn't prepared to cook for a crowd but I had planned to make these muffins so I went ahead and made them.  Once the kids got through with them, there were only 6 left.  My husband also enjoyed one or two over the next few days.  They are tasty and do remind me of glazed donuts but without the frying.  We all know how well I fry ~~ NOT!  I will probably make these muffins again without any changes to the recipe at all.  Well, I may reduce the amount of nutmeg down to 1/2 a teaspoon....  Maybe.  Other than that, they are perfect!


GLAZED DOUGHNUT MUFFINS

Ingredients:

For the Batter

¼ cup butter

¼ cup vegetable oil

½ cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¾ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

For the Batter

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

¾ teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

1.      Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Lightly grease a standard muffin tin or line with 12 paper muffin cups, and grease the cups with non-stick vegetable spray; this will ensure that they will peel off the muffins nicely.

2.       In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter, vegetable oil, and sugars till smooth.

3.       Add the eggs, beating to combine.

4.       Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and vanilla.

5.       Stir the flour into the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour and making sure everything is thoroughly combined.

6.       Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan, filling the cups nearly full.

7.       Bake the muffins for 15 to 17 minutes, or until they are a pale golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the middle of one of the center muffins comes out clean.

8.       In a medium bowl, prepare the glaze by mixing together the melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and water.  Whisk until smooth.

9.       When muffins have cooled slightly, dip the muffin crown into the glaze and allow the glaze to harden.  At this point, you can leave them as is or go for the double dip.

10.   Serve warm, or cool on a rack and wrap tightly.  Muffins will keep at room temperature for about a day.

Adapted from King Arthur Flour

Enjoy!

The Creative Cook

Lemon Risotto

This is a delicious tangy lemon risotto recipe from Rachael Ray.  I enjoyed it very much.  My husband is not as much of a lemon lover as I am but he did not complain.  As Rach says in her description it will make you "pucker up."

Lemon Risotto

By Rachael Ray

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 quart chicken stock

2 cups water

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

1 small-medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated

1 cup Arborino rice

Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (1/4 cup)

½ cup white wine

2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

2 tablespoons slivered mint leaves

A handful basil tops, shredded or torn

Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1.      In a large pot, heat the stock and 2 cups water over medium-low heat.

2.     In a risotto pot or large skillet with rounded bottom, heat the EVOO over medium to medium-high heat.  Add the onions and garlic to the pan and sauté to soften, 3-4 minutes.  Stir in the rice and add the zest of lemon.  Heat the rice a minute or two, then add the wine and cook to evaporate.  Add in the stock a few ladles at a time and stir for a minute with each addition of stock to develop the starch and creamy aspect.  Keep adding the stock each time pan starts to become dry at the edges.  The total cooking time will be 18 minutes or so.

3.     When the rice is cooked to al dente, stir in the butter, lemon juice, cheese and herbs.  Serve immediately.

 Enjoy!

The Creative Cook