Recipe #79: Maple-Pecan Muffins

Maple-Pecan Muffins

This recipe called for maple syrup and pecans as the main ingredients. I decided that apples would be a good fruit addition to this combination, so I looked for a recipe with all three ingredients. I found one called Apple, Maple & Pecan Whole Wheat Muffins, taken from the website, Butter Lust. I pretty much went by the recipe except for using buttermilk instead of milk, and I added a crunch topping.

These muffins were delicious: moist, flavorful and hearty--everything I want in a muffin. My tasters also enjoyed them very much. I would definitely make these again.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Next: Marmalade-Almond Muffins

Recipe #78: Maple Bran Muffins

Maple Bran Muffins

The recipe in 201 Muffins used whole wheat flour and wheat bran, 1/2 cup maple syrup and walnuts. I couldn't find a recipe that called for wheat bran, so I used one that called for bran flakes and 1 full cup of maple syrup that I found on Genius Kitchen, Maple Bran Muffins. It also used raisins and walnuts. It had very little fat so the muffins had fewer calories.

For the cup of flour in the recipe I used white whole wheat flour, along with the bran flakes, the maple syrup, and the walnuts. But instead of raisins I used dried cranberries, which made them more tangy and healthier, as well.

I think the muffin recipe did not call for enough leavening, because they did not rise very high, as you can see from the photo. They were wonderfully moist, however, and very good tasting, I thought. My tasters also enjoyed them. I would probably make these again, but maybe with a different recipe.

I rated these 4.5 out of 5, mostly because of the lack of height.

Next up: Maple Pecan Muffins

Recipe #77: Mango Muffins

Mango Muffins

The recipe in the book, 201 Muffins, called for mangoes and almonds, honey and coconut flavoring. I chose a recipe from the website, Tasty Seasons, for Whole Wheat Mango Muffins.

I used whole wheat pastry flour in place of the whole wheat/all purpose flour combo of the recipe. I also used frozen mangoes since I couldn't find fresh at my local store; I used almonds and honey, and in place of coconut flavoring I used coconut rum. I also decided to add cinnamon chips, which gave them some added sweetness as well as spiciness.

My tasters enjoyed them and I thought they were very good, although I think that mangoes have an unusual flavor that I believe is an acquired taste. I probably won't make them again for that reason, but I do have a lot of leftover mango chunks, so I will need to make something with them. We'll see . . .

I rated these 4.5 out of 5.

Next: Maple Bran Muffins