It’s cold, and it’s not supposed to be cold. IT’S SPRING.
What is that about???
If it’s going to feel like Christmas, we might as well have a treat. I have a recipe for mulling spice cookies (anyone interested in that?), but I wasn’t in a cookie mood. I was in a muffin mood, so I translated the cookie recipe into muffins, throwing in some white chocolate for no good reason other than it sounded yummy. I made this recipe using my homemade Quick Mix, but you can use another baking mix (if you must). I’ve also included the recipe from scratch if you don’t use a baking mix.
I have a recipe for making your own mulling spice here. To make ground mulling spice, you can either take some whole mulling spice and grind it in a coffee or spice grinder, or make it up out of your already-ground spices. To make 1 tablespoon ground mulling spice, use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground dried orange peel, and 1/2 teaspoon ground anise. (I use ground anise star, which I grind myself.) If you’re missing any of the ingredients from your spice cabinet, either use more of another or substitute with ground nutmeg or ground cardamom. Mulling spice is not an exact science and every mulling spice combo isn’t the same, so feel free to substitute. You could also use Chinese five spice.
Printer-Friendly
How to make Mulling Spice Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground mulling spice
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 ounces grated white chocolate
1/2 cup raisins, soaked
1/2 cup flaked coconut
To use a baking mix, replace the first four ingredients with 2 cups baking mix.
At least an hour before starting, hydrate the raisins by placing them in a small pot with just water (or bourbon or rum or…..whatever you want) and bringing to a simmering boil.
Turn off the heat, cover, and let the raisins soak for about an hour. Drain to use in the recipe.
Combine first four ingredients or baking mix, brown sugar, ground mulling spice, eggs, milk, and oil all at once.
Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in white chocolate, raisins, and coconut.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. This makes about a dozen regular-size muffins, or six giant muffins.
I felt like I deserved giant muffins.
Bake at 400-degrees approximately 15-18 minutes.
Really good with butter, or apple butter, or nothing at all.
Merry Christmas!
Oh, wait…..
See this recipe at Farm Bell Recipes and save it to your recipe box.
See All My Recipes
Printer-Friendly
Darlene in North GA says:
Is that a CURRENT PICTURE? Is that frost or SNOW on the ground? If it’s snow, I’m jealous!
On March 28, 2011 at 1:43 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Darlene, yes, that picture was taken yesterday morning here!
On March 28, 2011 at 6:08 am
skippymom says:
Those crowned beautifully. I wish I could smell them. And we got the snow too here in VA yesterday – just a dusting like you, but man-o-man please take the cold weather away already! I want to open the windows and turn off my heat.
On March 28, 2011 at 6:05 am
Glenda says:
Muffins look good!
We have a dusting of snow too! I want it gone…………..
On March 28, 2011 at 7:23 am
Joycee says:
We are having cold weather again too :hissyfit: Doesn’t do me a bit of good to have a little hissyfit, just make some muffins and enjoy! I had to move all the seedlings into the garage over the weekend from the back deck. Oh well, that’s Spring in the Ozarks!Thanks Suzanne for a great recipe that will warm us up…
On March 28, 2011 at 7:51 am
Sonia says:
Oh My Gosh!!! those muffins look awfully sinful :hungry: I just might have to give those a try sometime this week. No snow here in SC, but the rain is about to drive me crazy!
On March 28, 2011 at 8:20 am
Kim Gibson says:
Try hydrating your raisons in vanilla…. yummy! And we got snow in Northern VA too. Yuck.
On March 28, 2011 at 8:29 am
holstein woman says:
Snow-high on the mountain Saturday when I was driving, but NOT here. These sound like a Christmas Present anytime.
On March 28, 2011 at 8:59 am
Ramona says:
Those muffins should cure the yucky day blahs!
On March 28, 2011 at 10:39 am
Window On The Prairie says:
Wonderful looking muffins. I haven’t made them in ages, so that’s next on my list of things to do. Oh, and we’re supposed to get snow here today. Argh. I can’t take it anymore. :hissyfit:
Suzanne
On March 28, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Amber says:
I have about that much coconut left over from a previous recipe that I wasn’t sure what to do with. These sound great; I hope they turn out OK without the white chocolate because I don’t have that on hand.
On March 28, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Gingermouse says:
They look really good and I need to bake my DH something snacky for lunches this week. But for me….mmmm…I am thinking,
cream cheese on them! I have some mulling spices,
I use them on the stove simmering in a kettle, for moisture in the air and the good smell. Will have to enlist the coffee grinder to grind some up for these muffins.
Thank you for another great recipe. SC
On March 28, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Jane says:
I hope you soaked your raisins in RUM like the awesome cook you are?!
I tell ya (and I have, so I’m just being repetitious here;), that cooking with alcohol is an ART that is being LOST:( I’m glad that you’re around to keep us on the righteous path. In addition, in case case I haven’t told you this (and I’m fairly sure I haven’t), your recipes ROCK! I know 100% if I make something from this site, it will work, and work well. I can’t say that about many, so thanks for everything you do:)
On March 28, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Shelly says:
Yum, those spices look delicious! Gotta try this recipe!! :purpleflower: :smilerabbit: :heart: :snoopy: :moo:
On March 29, 2011 at 9:33 pm