Lemon Muffins

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 17 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes | Yield: 24 standard-sized muffins


Ingredients

Muffins:

3 1/2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baling soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cup yoghurt

12 tablespoons (85g) butter, melted

zest and juice of one lemon (mine yield about 1 tablespoon zest and 1/4 cup juice)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Lemon Drizzle Topping:

2 cups powdered sugar

4-6 tablespoons lemon juice


Instructions

To make the muffins:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. (220°C). Butter 12 muffin cups or line them with liner papers.
  2. In a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix in the sugar and lemon zest.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the yoghurt, melted butter, lemon juice and vanilla extract just until combined. Pour the wet ingredients in to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula just until combined. Do not over-mix. The batter should be thick and lumpy. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups (almost all the way to the top). Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes.

To make the lemon drizzle topping:

  1. In a small bowl sift the powdered sugar. Add lemon juice until you achieve desired consistency (pourable consistency).
  2. When the muffins are cooled, pour the drizzle over the muffins.
  3. Muffins are best the same day as they are made, bu they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or they can be frozen for up to 2 months.
2025-01-28T21:32:43+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Cinnamon Apple Oat Muffins w/ Crumble Topping

Yield: 12 muffins


Ingredients

Crumble Topping:

3 Tbsp rolled oats

1 tbsp butter, melted

1 tsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Muffins:

1 cup Rolled oats

1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup melted coconut oil, (or neutral oil like grape-seed or vegetable oil)

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 cups shredded, unpeeled apples (about two large apples)

 


Instructions

 

  1. Make the crumble topping by combining oats, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with muffin cups.
  3. Put oats in a food processor and pulse into a flour-like consistency. Combine oat flour, wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  4. Mix together honey, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add sugar and stir until combined. Add apples; stir until well combined. Add in flour mixture and stir until just combined.
  5. Divide batter into 12 muffin cups and sprinkle tops with crumble. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes and enjoy it!

Recipe Notes and Variations:

These cinnamon apple muffins can easily be made vegan. Just replace the eggs with flax eggs, change out the butter for coconut oil or a good vegan butter, and swap the honey for maple syrup.

2025-01-28T21:32:12+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Easy Cherry Muffins

Yield: 18 muffins | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 22mins | Course: Breakfast, Snack | Cuisine: American


Ingredients

3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup (60g) sour cream or plain yoghurt, room temperature

1/2 tsp almond extract, or vanilla if preferred

2 cups (300g) fresh cherries, pitted, coarsely chopped and drained


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients- flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar and eggs until well combined. Add milk, sour cream and almond extract, then mix again until incorporated.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix just until combined (avoid over-mixing). Stir in chopped cherries with a rubber spatula spoon.
  5. Transfer batter to prepared muffin tin filling each cup almost to the top (I like to use an ice cream scoop for this step). Sprinkle coarse sugar over the muffins (sprinkle from high above so there are no concentrated spots and sugar is dispersed evenly).
  6. Bake at 400°F for 20-22 minutes. Muffins are done when the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with little to no crumbs. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before serving. I like to turn the muffins on their side in the pan so the bottoms don’t get soggy.

Notes:

Frozen Cherries may also be used. Defrost them in a colander and discard the drippings. Use as directed in the recipe.

Chocolate Chips (1 cup) may be added to the recipe if desired. Stir them in when adding the cherries.

Store Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freeze Muffins  after they have cooled completely. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. Defrost in the refrigerator before serving.

Recommended Tools: kitchen scale, muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, ice cream scoop

2025-01-28T21:32:07+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Jalepeño Poppers

Course: Appetizer


Ingredients

6 Jalapeños

1/2 cup mayonnaise

5 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 slices bacon, cut in half


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place cooling rack over baking sheet for easy airflow while cooking.
  2. Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and take seeds out.
  3. Stir minced garlic and lemon juice into the mayonnaise. Scoop mayo evenly into jalapeño halves.
  4. Wrap 1/2 piece of bacon around each jalapeño.
  5. Place poppers on cooling rack and then place on baking sheet. Put both into oven and bake for around 22 minutes. Check on around 15 minutes since ovens do vary. Enjoy!
2025-01-28T19:02:19+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Chili

Servings: 24


Ingredients

2 pounds of ground beef

2 cans kidney beans (drained)  – 16oz

1 can black beans (drained) -16oz

1 can stewed tomatoes – 16oz

2 cans tomato sauce- 16oz

Quarter onion

Quarter red bell pepper

Sweet corn – 1 1/2 cups

Chili powder

Cumin

Paprika

Onion powder

Cayenne pepper

Salt

Pepper

For additional heat: finely chopped Serrano peppers or choice of your own hot sauce. Serrano peppers are added at the beginning, hot sauce used throughout cooking to taste.

 


Instructions

  1. First cook the ground beef with the chopped up onion in a pot with olive oil. Season the beef with all the seasoning to taste as it’s cooking.
  2. Combine tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, corn, beans and red bell pepper (I like to smash the stewed tomatoes so that they aren’t big chunks), set on medium high temp stirring occasionally until it all starts bubbling. Turn the temp to medium and continue slow cooking covered for about 1-2 hours. The longer it cooks the better it blends. Use all the seasoning throughout cooking to season to taste—that part is up to you! Cayenne pepper will also add heat the more you use it.
2025-08-12T01:14:28+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Texas Pumpkin Sheet Cake With Candied Pecans

Servings: 24


Ingredients

Cake:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 can pumpkin purée (15 ounces)

 

Frosting:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 package cream cheese (8 ounces), softened

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups powdered sugar

 

Candied Pecans:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons water

1 cup chopped pecans

 


Instructions

    1. Cake: Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
    2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. In another bowl, combine eggs, sugar, vegetable oil and pumpkin purée until fully incorporated. Slowly add the flour mixture, stirring well after each addition, until fully incorporated.
    3. Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
    4. Frosting: Cream together butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, and mix until smooth.
    5. Candied Pecans: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and water. Cook, stirring 1-2 minutes or until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is slightly bubbling.
    6. Stir in pecans and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring to coat pecans. Remove from heat and spread pecans evenly on parchment paper. Allow to cool completely. Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake and sprinkle with candied pecans.
2025-01-28T14:48:06+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Sausage Gravy Casserole with Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits

Servings: 12 | Active Time: 50 mins | Cool time: 45 mins | Bake time: 40 mins | Total Time: 2hrs 15mins


Ingredients

Sausage Gravy:

1 pound hot ground pork sausage

1/2 cup chopped sweet onion

1/4 cup red bell pepper

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

3/4 tsp kosher salt

Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits:

1 3/4 cups self-raising soft-wheat flour, plus more for work surface

1/4 cup plain yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3/4 cup)

4 tbsp chopped fresh chives, divided

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tbsp butter, melted

 


Instructions

    1. Prepare the Gravy: Coat a 13-x19-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. Cook sausage, onion and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium, stirring often, until sausage is crumbled and browned and vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes. Transfer mixture to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Wipe skillet clean.
    2. Add butter to cleaned skillet; cook over low, whisking often, until melted. Whisk in all-purpose flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Increase heat to medium. Cook, whisking occasionally, until thick and bubbly, 8-10 minutes. Stir in sausage mixture and salt; remove from heat. Spoon into prepared baking dish. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
    3. Meanwhile, prepare the biscuits. Whisk together self-rising flour and cornmeal in a large bowl. Add butter cubes; cut into flour mixture using a pastry blender or 2 forks until mixture is crumbly and resembles small peas. Stir in cheese and 2 tablespoons of the chives. Stir in cream until ingredients are just moistened. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface, and lightly knead until dough comes together, 3-4 times. Pat dough into an 8-6-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 (2-inch) square, and cut each in half diagonally. Cover; chill until ready to use. Arrange biscuits spaced 1/4 -1/2 inch apart on top of cooled gravy.
    4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake until casserole is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown, about 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush tops of biscuits with melted butter; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons chopped chives. Serve hot.

Tips

To Freeze: After Step 3, wrap freezer-safe baking dish tightly with 2 layers of aluminum foil. Freeze at least 4 hours or up to 2 months. When ready to serve, transfer casserole to the refrigerator; thaw completely, about 24 hours. Unwrap dish; bake as directed in Step 4.

Shortcut Biscuits: Follow Steps 1 and 2 as directed. Arrange 12 frozen (unthawed) buttermilk home-style biscuits (from 1 [25-oz.] pkg.) spaced 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart on top of cooled sausage gravy. Brush tops of biscuits with 1 tbsp melted butter; sprinkle with 3 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 3/4 cup) and 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives. Bake as directed in Step 4. To freeze, follow freezing and thawing instruction above, and then bake as directed.

2025-01-28T19:02:07+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Chocolate Muffins

Course: Dessert | Cuisine: American | Servings: 12 muffins | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Total time: 30 mins


Ingredients

DRY INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (210g)

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (60g)

1 cup granulated sugar (200g)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

WET INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs

3/4 cup sour cream (170g)

1/2 cup milk (120 ml)

2 tsp vanilla extract (10ml)

1/2 cup vegetable oil (120ml)


Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line a muffin tin with papers.
    2. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
    3. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, vegetable oil, sour cream, and milk then whisk together.
    4. Set aside about 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips for the muffin tops.
    5. Pour the wet into the dry and fold together using a spatula, mixing until almost combined. Sprinkle in the remaining chocolate chips and mix until the batter is just combined and the chocolate chips have been distributed.
    6. Fill the muffin papers to the top and sprinkle with the reserved chocolate chips. Bake at 425°F for 6 minutes then reduce to 350°F and continue baking for about 14 minutes or until the centers are set, a toothpick or skewer inserted in the center will come out clean.

 


Notes

Don’t use an electric mixer or you have a high chance of over-mixing the batter. Just use a spatula and mix until everything is just combined.

Muffins don’t take long to bake so try not to bake them for longer than instructed. To test that they are ready, insert a toothpick into the center of one muffin and if it comes out clean with no wet batter they are ready.

Let them cool on a cooling rack before serving or storing.

Don’t open the oven door during baking or you risk the muffins deflating.

You can easily change up the favors by adding in orange zest or even peppermint extract for a mint choc version.

Feel free to switch the chocolate chips for your favorites: you could use white chocolate or butterscotch chips, too.

The muffins will keep well for up to 3-5 days in an airtight container or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

2025-06-18T17:16:29+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Crab Cakes

Course: Main Course | Cuisine: American | Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook time: 10 mins | Total time: 10 mins


Ingredients

Crab Cake:

8 oz cooked crab meat

1 Large egg, slightly beaten

3 tbsp mayonnaise

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp green onions, sliced

4 cloves roasted garlic, minced

1/2 cup round butter cracker crumbs, similar to Ritz

1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Coating:

1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs, more if needed

1/4 cup Parmesan finely grated, more if needed

Oil for Frying:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

 


Instructions

    1. Mix Ingredients: Add crab meat to medium sized bowl and drain out any excess liquid. Combine crab with egg, mayo, lemon juice, green onions, roasted garlic, cracker crumbs, Old Bay seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
    2. Prepare Breading: Combine Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan on plate
    3. Prepare Pan: Heat butter and oil in large skillet over medium high heat
    4. Coat Crab cakes: Divide the crab mixture into four equal portions. Coat both sides with bread crumb parmesan mixture. If crab mixture is pretty wet, continue to flip and coat crab cake until it holds it’s shape (that’s why you may have to add more bread crumbs and parmesan as needed).
    5. Fry crab cakes: Place breaded crab cakes in the hot oil. Cook until golden brown, flipping only once, about 3-5 minutes each side.
    6. Time to devour them: Serve crab cakes hot with remoulade sauce (recipe in notes). Crab cakes are also delicious cold and leftover on a salad.

Notes:

Remoulade sauce recipe: https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/remoulade

2025-01-28T21:45:30+00:00January 8th, 2025|

Best Ever Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Yield: 36 reg muffins / 72 mini muffins | Can be made egg-free and dairy-free


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder (2 tbsp if egg-free)

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp pumpkin spice

1 tsp allspice

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

pinch of salt, optional and to taste

2 cups add-ins: mini chocolate chips, regular-sized chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, chopped nuts, or combination

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (light, dark or combo)

Wet Ingredients:

4 eggs (1 cup applesauce if egg-free, or use egg substitute)

1 can pumpkin puree

2/3 cup coconut oil or other oil, melted

1/4 cup mild or medium molasses or maple syrup

1/2 cup milk or milk substitute

2 tbsp vanilla extract


Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
    2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together all dry ingredients.
    3. In a large liquid measuring cup with pour spout, combine wet ingredients.
    4. Slowly add the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until just combined; don’t over-mix.
    5. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (a cookie scoop works great). TIP: Spraying a one-quarter cup measure (for regular-sized muffins) with cooking spray so the batter just slides off is handy here.
    6. Bake for about 18-19 minutes for regular / 15 minutes for mini muffins, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs but no batter.
    7. Allow muffins to cool in pans for about 10-15 minutes before removing and placing on a rack to cool completely.
2026-01-03T22:10:12+00:00January 8th, 2025|
Go to Top