Orange Muffins with Brown Sugar Topping

I've been so quiet.. A lot of things happening.. Nothing great actually.. All sad stuffs.. But I shall not dampen your mood anymore.. I've been doing a number of muffins.. Here's a new one..

I've always loved citrus flavoured cakes.. They're always refreshing and feels kinda healthy.. hehe.. I did Orange Muffins with Brown Sugar Topping.. It nice.. Soft, refreshing and somehow bland BUT the Brown Sugar Topping made it SUPERB for me.. haha.. I wanted to bite into something when eating it.. Hence, dried cranberries were my number one choice when pairing with orange.. I would double the topping for one recipe of muffins the next time I make it

I enjoy doing muffins cos its simpler as I don't have to use any machines.. You should try this, really..

Orange Muffins (taken from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Orange-Muffins/Detail.aspx)
makes 12 regular size muffins (my notes in red)

2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (I added more zest)
2/3 cup orange juice (I added a bit more)
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup ground walnuts (optional) (excluded)

Brown Sugar topping

1 tablespoon melted butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, white sugar and grated orange peel. Stir in orange juice, 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs and chopped nuts.

2. Pour into 12 muffin cups.

3. Blend 1 tablespoon melted margarine, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on top of each muffin. (I wouldn't say sprinkle but just drop some on top of the batter)

4. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 20-25 minutes. Serve hot.

~Yesterday.. You ask me something I thought you knew
So I told you with a smile..it's all about you..~

Banana Muffins

Im sorry for the lack of entries recently.. Been quite busy with a few orders here and there.. and work.. and jamming with my band members..

Anway, I tried making banana muffins last weekend.. I don't really enjoy doing muffins cos I always thought that muffins taste dense and filling and boring.. But this muffin that I made really made me change my mind.. Haha.. It's soft, delicious and awesome especially with chocolate chips.. And I don't really like banana stuffs... 

My sis came across a website about muffins.. Well.. it states that you should not overmix the batter.. cos if you do, you will have tunnels and your muffins will be dry.. For more theory on muffins, you may visit this website.. http://www.joyofbaking.com/muffins/muffinrecipes.html

Banana Muffins II (taken from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Muffins-II/Detail.aspx)
Makes 12 (my notes in red)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, melted   
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside.

2. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, vanilla and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Scoop into muffin pans.

3. Bake in preheated oven. Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes, and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.
 
~You treat me like a rose
You gave me room to grow
You shone the light of love on me
And gave me air so I can breathe~

Cranberry Orange Zest Muffins

I haven't made muffin in a very long time.. This was really refreshing.. I love the orangey taste and the crispy top... Healthy tasting snack.. It's nice eaten hot.. And the good thing about it is that you don't have to use any hand mixer!!

Cranberry Orange Zest Muffins (taken from http://howtoeatacupcake.net/)

Makes 8

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream (I used plain yoghurt)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Zest of 1 orange

1/2 cup dried cranberries, divided

1/4 cup orange juice

Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 175 deg celcius (375F). Line muffin pan with 8 paper liners. (I got 15 cups using my usual aluminium tray)

2. Combine 1/4 cup dried cranberries with orange juice in a microwave safe measuring cup or bowl. Microwave 1 minute or until mixture is hot. Let sit for 5 minutes to plump the cranberries. Drain off orange juice and pulse cranberries a few times in a food processor.

3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, sour cream, melted butter, vanilla, orange zest and cranberry puree. Stir into dry ingredients until almost completely moistened. Fold in the ramining 1.4 cup cranberries until incorporated.

4. Fill muffin cups 2/3 to 3/4 full. Generously sprinkle coarse sugar over the tops. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in pan before removing to a wire rack. Serve warm.

~hey Girl you know you drive me crazy..
One look puts the rythm in my hand
Still I never understand why you hang around
I see what's goin down~