Tall Blueberry Muffins

I have this "thing" with blueberry muffins. I am always on the look out for the perfect recipe that will yield me muffins with high domes.

To be honest, I have baked a lot of blueberry muffin failures. I would say almost all of them tasted just fine. They just lacked the "dome" or the "height" I so desperately craved. This is one of the main reasons I hardly ever post muffins here.

I don't know, I just think the dome (or muffin top) makes the muffin taste better. Sounds crazy huh? This quirk (okay, obsession) of mine sometimes takes over my baking.

For example, I refuse to hand out a misshapen cookie, a lopsided cupcake, or a brownie that is not 2x2. Yes, I bust out the ruler for all bar cookies ...but I digress.

I have finally figured out a way to have "tall" gorgeous muffins without having to pray and beg the baking gods for a "dome". What is my secret?

Sky-high muffin wrappers from Europe! I love these wrappers! I am so glad that my friend K. keeps me knee-deep in these beautiful liners. Whenever I feel like muffin I just bake them in one of the wrappers she has sent.

I think the muffin cases help my baking eccentricities (neurosis) relax a bit. On the bright side, if you receive cookies or brownies from me you'll be able to take comfort in the fact that each one is identical. I promise.

Print This Recipe: BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

Cinna-spin Cookies With A Muffin Twist

A couple weeks ago, I was offered the opportunity to bake the winning cookie recipe from Betty Crocker's Bake Life Sweeter contest. The winning cookie was baked by Lynette S which won her a $5,000 prize. She used a sugar cookie mix to create a "cinnamon roll-cookie". She aptly named the cookies Cinna-spins.

I was immediately intrigued by her concept. I read the recipe and decided that I would bake another version of her award winning cookie. I finally settled a mini muffin cinna-spin cookie. They baked up beautifully and had a cinnamon bun taste to them. Once the cookies were cooled and iced, I packed them in little boxes and took them over to my neighbors. I know, you're wondering how much of the recipe did I change? Nothing, except for the presentation.

I stayed true to the recipe by using the same amount of cinnamon, butter, egg, and a Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix. Instead of coiling the cookies, I rolled the dough into a 12"x 7" rectangle (a little shy 1/4" thick) in between two sheets of parchment paper. I then chilled the dough for 30 minutes. Once the dough was chilled, I sprinkled the cinnamon over it. And starting with the long side, I rolled it away from me.

Spray 3 mini-muffin tins with non-stick spray. Slice the cookie dough into 30 even pieces. Place the sliced cookie dough into the muffin tins and bake at 350F degrees for 10-13 minutes. Cool cookies in the pan for 5 minutes and then remove to cool completely on a wire rack.

Once the cookies are cooled drizzle with glaze and enjoy.
Printable Recipe

Goji Berry & Walnut Muffins

Sorry guys, I am a tad busy this week and slightly caked-out (gasp!). All I can offer this week are muffins. It’s not to say that these muffins aren’t good.

For goodness sake, their packed full goji berries and walnuts. I have been so busy lately, that I literally don’t have time to eat anything. I keep telling myself to pack a lunch, and then I stare into the fridge and nothing seems appealing.

I finally decided that I would bake muffins that I could just pop into my purse along with a couple of tea bags. I know what you’re thinking. A muffin Gigi? Muffins are bad for you.

These muffins do have some redeeming value. What could it be? The goji berries of course! Goji berries are dried red berries that look similar to cranberries. They have been used for thousands of years for their “healing” properties. They are packed full of antioxidants, help eyesight, protect the liver, and boost immune function. How could you not like this muffin? Right?

Go ahead and bake yourself some super muffins! In addition, goji berries are available at organic supermarkets and specialty food stores. These particular berries where given to me by Katie. Thanks Katie!

Goji Berry Walnut Muffins
Adapted from The Essential Baker
Makes 12

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups of AP flour
2/3 cup of firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon of salt
Pinch of nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces of melted unsalted butter, cooled
2 extra large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla

Mix in:
½ cup of goji berries
½ cup of walnut pieces

Preheat the oven to 400F degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with baking papers.

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together all the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to dry and using a large spoon just mix until incorporated. Do not over mix muffins, there will be lumps. Gently fold in the goji berries and walnuts. Divide the batter among the muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.