Monday, April 30, 2012

Cappuccino Muffins with Espresso Spread



Muffins are just ugly cupcakes. Or so the story goes. I, on the other hand, think muffins are pretty adorable! I also firmly believe that what a muffin may lack in pretty decorations, it makes up for in flavor. There's also nothing like a warm muffin with a cup of coffee and a good book; not that I'd know what that was like these days or anything. So, I guess I could have just came out and said "I love muffins", but that wouldn't have been very fun, now would it? If you've not skipped to the recipe yet, then I must be doing a good job! Yay, me!

Speaking of coffee and muffins, one of my all-time favorite muffins is one adapted from a Taste of Home recipe. These are the perfect blend of chocolate and coffee. And the espresso spread is to die for! I use leftover spread for bagels. These bad boys have enough "wow" factor to delight and impress guests, while also casual enough to enjoy with the family for a weekend brunch. Make extra to freeze or eat through the week! If you like this recipe, I now have a printable link. For the pinterest fans, I've added a "pin it" button so you can keep it handy.


Cappuccino Muffins with Espresso Spread
     (Print Recipe)

Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour                                               
3/4 cup sugar
2-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Espresso Spread:
4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tsp instant coffee granules
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Yields: About 14 regular-sized muffins and 1 cup of spread

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.



In case you are not familiar with coffee granules, here's the kind of container you can find them in. As you can see, this brand says "crystals", but it's the same thing. I've also used many different brands with these and all with the same result.


In a small bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until granules are dissolved. There is no need to heat the milk to dissolve the granules. If there is a granule or two that doesn't dissolve, that's fine.



In another bowl, lightly beat egg into melted butter and vanilla. Pour into coffee/milk mixture and mix well.


Now this is the part where you may think you totally messed something up somehow. It's going to be very clumpy due to the coagulation of the warm butter and protein in the eggs mixing with the milk and coffee (that's my critical thinking skills at work). Don't try to beat it out. It won't work. Leave it how it is. (The first time I made these, about 5 years ago, I wasted a lot of time!)



Create a well in the flour mixture and pour your chunky coffee mixture into it.


Stir just until moistened.


Fold in chocolate chips.



Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full. Considering these make about 14 muffins, I like to break out my mini muffin pan too. I can get 12 regular muffins and 12 mini muffins out of this. Tip: When you have empty places in your muffin pans, fill halfway with water to help with even baking. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 17-20 minutes or toothpick comes out clean. 

While muffins are baking, in a food processor or blender, combine spread ingredients; cover and process until well blended. Refrigerate until serving. 

You don't have to arrange your muffins and spread for pictures. You can just go straight to eating J

Enjoy!!

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Last but not least, I link all my recipes up on pinterest, along with other great ideas and recipes, so I'd love to hang with you there! Southern Belle's Pinterest Fun

See? There's really no reason why we shouldn't know each other better!

Sharing with:

Muffin Monday

Tip Junkie handmade projects

What's cooking, love?The Taylor House











31 comments:

  1. Looks yummy! I will have to try these soon!

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  2. :). It's like you crawled inside my head and found the peefect sweet treat that I so desire! lol

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  3. This looks really good Erika!!!

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  4. These look awesome. My fiance is a huge coffee fiend, so I will definitely have to give these a try :)

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  5. YUM!! These sound AMAZING and I can't wait to try them! Muffins are my favorite! My idea of a perfect morning is a warm muffin, cup of coffee, and a chat with a friend! I'll have to try these the next time I have a 'mommy" playdate! :)

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  6. These look delicious! I am thinking I will give them a try! :)

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  7. Hi! Visiting from the Taylor House. Holy yum! These look like heaven!! Pinning these and making them ASAP!

    Newest follower.. would love a follow back if you like my site too :)

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  8. These muffins look really good as does the espresso spread. I will have to try these! I would love if you would share this and any other posts at Showcase Your Talent Thursday http://whatscookinglove.blogspot.com/2012/05/showcase-your-talent-thursday-5.html. I hope to see you there!

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  9. Ack! Oh no! I have everything on hand to make these! Now I HAVE to :) They look sooo good! I'd love it if you'd share these at You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/04/youre-gonna-love-it-tuesdays-2.html

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  10. Can't wait to make these and drink coffee! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!

    Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

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  11. Such an interesting idea! With all the coffee, these muffins would be great for breakfast!

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  12. These look & sound amazing!!!!!!! The spread sounds like it's be great on a cake as well! I've added it to my baking to do list!

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  13. These look so yummy! Thanks for sharing at my party! Have a great weekend :)

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  14. Looks very good! Thanks so much for linking up at Romance on a Dime!!

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  15. Stopping from SITS! What a yummy muffin! My husband would love these.

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  16. I love muffins! They look delish :)

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  17. These look amazing! I will have to see if I can find a vegan version of this recipe. :)

    Stopping over from the SITS Spring Fling! Nice to "meet" you!

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  18. Yum! Newest follower from the SITS Spring Fling :)

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  19. Oh my word those look delicious! Going to have to try them soon. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Toot Your Horn Tuesday :)

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  20. Oh my gosh those look so good! Stopping by from SITS.

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  21. Yum! I'm visiting from SITS, too. We made blueberry minimuffins yesterday. I was SO excited when my picky little guy grabbed four of them. Sigh. Then I realized he was just de-blueberrying them and tossing the actual muffin.

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  22. Hello Erika,
    Thanks for the Cappuccino Muffins Espresso Spread recipe.
    I'll create one for sure, my kids are gonna like it :)
    If you don't mind, can I submit your Cappuccino Muffins Espresso Spread photo in http://www.foodporn.net ?
    It's a food photography site full of all DIY food pictures from members around the world. Or perhaps you'd like to submit by yourself? Let me know when you did, so I can share it.

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  23. I am a coffee lover and this sounds amazing! New Follower
    Thanks for linking up to our Sunday Round Up link party. Hope to see you again this weekend :)
    xoxo
    Heather

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  24. These muffins sound really good! Definitely want to try making this.

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  25. Hello! I’m stopping in to invite you to join us at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop
    this week!

    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/11/clever-chicks-blog-hop-7-country-craft.html

    I hope to see you there!
    Cheers!
    Kathy
    The Chicken Chick

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I love to hear from ya'll!! It's always nice to hear from friends, new and old. I love to chat back, and I usually like to through email, so make sure you are not a no-reply comment. It makes me sad :(