Recipe #82: Molasses, Raisin and Bran Muffins

Molasses-Bran Muffin

This recipe called for molasses, bran, and raisins. I was able to find a variety of such recipes, and I chose Moist Molasses Bran Muffins from the Bob's Red Mill website. It was a good recipe and I made it according to the directions (except for the whole wheat flour, which I substituted with graham flour). They came out a bit flat, however, but that may have been because there was not only graham flour but wheat bran included. The amount of molasses (1/2 cup) made for a very strong molasses flavor, which I quite liked. I thought they were nicely fibrous, too, or "woolly," as I like to call it, reminding me of a nubby wool sweater, the kind you'd find in Northern Scotland, for instance. My tasters also enjoyed them. I would definitely make these again. I rate them 5 out of 5. (I'm such an easy grader!)

Next up: Mushroom Muffins

Recipe #81: Mincemeat Muffins

Mincemeat Muffins
taken from Dinner With Julie

The 201 Muffins recipe for Mincemeat Muffins called for mincemeat and walnuts--pretty simple, really. I found several mincemeat muffin recipes on the internet, but decided to go with Mincemeat Muffins from the website, New England Today Food. The recipe suggested using homemade mincemeat, which I would have done except it requires at least two weeks to "cure." Since I didn't have that much time, I decided to buy some already prepared. Or at least I did until I realized mincemeat is no longer as easy to come by as it was when I was a child. I guess it's less popular than it once was. I still like mincemeat, though, and finally did track some down (a bit expensive) and used it in the recipe.

Since mincemeat without the meat (the only kind I would consider these days) is really just apples, raisins, spices and orange/lemon peel, the muffins came out tasting like other raisin/apple combinations. They were tasty, though not terribly sweet, which was fine with me and my tasters. Mincemeat muffins, though, are not at all like mincemeat pie, as the mincemeat is distributed throughout the batter and doesn't really assert itself very much, so I was a little disappointed at that.

I did enjoy them, however, and might even make them again. I rated them 5 out of 5.

Next up: Molasses, Raisins and Bran Muffins

Recipe #80: Marmalade-Almond Muffins

Marmalade-Almond Muffins

This recipe in 201 Muffins called for marmalade and almonds, which was, as it turned out, an easy combination to find on the internet. I chose the recipe Marmalade Almond Muffins, which appeared in the website, The Australian Women's Weekly Food. I had to make a few adjustments to the recipe, however--some had to do with the measurement differences between U.S. and Australia (we go with volume; they go with weight). But there were other changes, too: the recipe called for self-rising flour (I made my own and used some white whole wheat), butter (I used oil), caster sugar (I used brown sugar), flaked almonds (I used chopped almonds), and milk (I used buttermilk). I did stick with the 3/4 cup of marmalade and the two eggs, however!😊 After 80 recipes, I feel pretty confident about making changes to ingredients.

These muffins were very good--hearty and nicely orange flavored. I did put on the marmalade glaze recommended in the recipe. That made them a little sweeter. My tasters also enjoyed them. I rate these 5 out of 5.

Next up: Mincemeat Muffins

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

Recipe #76: Lime Flavored Muffins

Lime Flavored Muffins

The recipe in 201 Muffins, Lime Flavored Muffins, included chocolate chips, which I found very intriguing. I do love citrus and chocolate together: chocolate dipped strawberries, orange gel-filled chocolates, raspberry and chocolate. So a lime and chocolate combination was bound to be good. And indeed it was!

I chose the recipe, Lime Chocolate Chip Muffins, from the website Crumbs&Chaos. I followed it for the most part, except to add chopped almonds for texture, and to top with a granulated sugar glaze rather than powdered sugar (because I didn't have any). I used fresh lime juice and lime zest and mini chocolate chips.

The muffins were delicious! Some of my tasters said "amazing," and "heavenly" to describe them.  So I would definitely make these again. Rating: 5 out of 5.

Next: Mango Muffins