Sunday, March 27, 2011

Make A Mix: French Breakfast Muffins and Muffin Link Party

photo source: www.familyfun.com

Several years ago I ran across this delightful recipe in Family Fun Magazine and have been making it ever since.  These muffins are the perfect Sunday morning breakfast food.  My kids say they are better then doughnuts.  I started making my own mix for these muffins after being late for church on multiple Sunday mornings because we were eating these muffins.  When I make this mix I line up 6 Ziploc bags, and add the flour to each bag and then I put the flour away, then I add the sugar to each bag continuing down the list of ingredients. This assembly line set up makes it easy to make a bunch at once.   Make sure to squeeze any extra air out of the bags.  Be sure to add cooking instructions to the bag.  I usually just write it on with a sharpie but you can also print out the recipe and tape it on.

Printable Recipe

French Breakfast Muffin Mix:
In a zip-lock bag add: 
2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1  tablespoon powdered eggs
3 Tablespoons powdered milk

To make the mix you need:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 cup water
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled


Heat the oven to 375°. Butter the bottoms (only) of 12 standard-size muffin cups and set the pan aside. Add mix to a medium-size bowl, whisk together. In a separate bowl blend in the water,  melted butter, and vanilla extract. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture. Using a wooden spoon, mix the batter just until it's evenly blended, then spoon it into the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes, then remove them from the cups.  Before the muffins lose their warmth, prepare the topping. Mix the sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt the butter and transfer it to a separate small bowl. Set both bowls next to the muffins. Working one muffin at a time, quickly dip the tops in the melted butter and then in the cinnamon sugar, rolling each muffin in all directions to cover the entire top. If you'd like more topping, roll them in the cinnamon sugar for a second time while they're still warm. Serve immediately.  Makes 12 muffins.
 
Original Recipe: French Breakfast Muffins
Source: Family Fun Magazine

Muffins
 2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1  large egg
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Heat the oven to 375°. Butter the bottoms (only) of 12 standard-size muffin cups and set the pan aside. Measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg into a large mixing bowl and combine them with a whisk. In a medium-size bowl, whisk the egg until it's frothy. Blend in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture. Using a wooden spoon, mix the batter just until it's evenly blended, then spoon it into the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes, then remove them from the cups.  Before the muffins lose their warmth, prepare the topping. Mix the sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt the butter and transfer it to a separate small bowl. Set both bowls next to the muffins. Working one muffin at a time, quickly dip the tops in the melted butter and then in the cinnamon sugar, rolling each muffin in all directions to cover the entire top. If you'd like more topping, roll them in the cinnamon sugar for a second time while they're still warm. Serve immediately. Makes 12 muffins.