Chocolate Cinnamon Muffins

They said it couldn't be done, what do "they" know. Yes it's true cinnamon and chocolate can go together, and quite beautifully I might add. A little cocoa mixed with white chocolate chips, and a hint of cinnamon make the world seem like a better place. You can turn any basic muffin recipe into perfection simply by adding a few key ingredients. I've learned that out during the past two recipes. These muffins leave you feeling quite satisfied. I have received my chocolate fix for the day, have you had yours??? Until next time; Here's to Cake Wishes and Chocolate Dreams.


Ingredients:
-oil or melted butter, for greasing (if using)
-heaping 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
-1 tbsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
-1/8 tsp salt
-heaping 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
-1 cup white chocolate chips (or another flavor)
-2 large eggs
-1 cup milk
-6 tbsp sunflower oil or melted, cooled butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line with 12 muffin paper liners. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar, and chocolate chips.
2. Lightly beat the eggs in a larger bowl, the beat in the milk and oil. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the beaten liquid ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
3. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until well risen and firm tot he touch.
4. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, the serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

*Courtesy of 1 Mix, 100 Muffins
by Susanna Tee

Peanut Butter Chunk Muffins

That's right, you heard me correctly. I did say peanut butter chunk muffins, and they are to die for.
There's just the right amount of peanut butter in every bite. These muffins were not only the easiest pastry that I have made to date, but they are also yummy, and very astecially pleasing. I hope that are as easy for you to make as they were for me. Enjoy! Until next time; Here's to Cake Wishes and Chocolate Dreams.

Ingredients:
-oil or melted butter, for greasing (if using)
-2 cups all-purpose flour
-1 tbsp baking powder
-1/8 tsp salt
-heaping 1/2 cup superfine sugar
-1 cup of peanut butter chocolate chips (or any other kind)
-2 large eggs
-1 cup milk
-6 tbsp sunflower oil or melted, cooled butter
-1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with 12 muffin paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and chocolate chunks.

2. Lightly beat the eggs in a large pitcher or bowl, then beat in the milk, oil, and vanilla extract.

3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the beaten liquid ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not over mix.

4. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until well risen, golden brown, and firm to the touch.

5. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

*Courtesy of 1 Mix, 100 Muffins
-Susanna Tee

Post Holiday!!!

Happy New Year!!!!! May 2011 bring you success, happiness, and everything your heart desires. Now that the holidays have come to an end, and all my holiday baking is over, I can concentrate on new recipes. 2011 for me is going to be great in the baking aspect. I plan on trying new recipes, and venturing into the muffin and cupcake world. I have always been fascinated with both, and this year I will give it a go! Muffins and cupcakes have definitely come a long way with hundreds of different concoctions to perfect the simplest of recipes. I look forward to this challenge, and hope great things come of it. Until next time; Here's to Cake Wishes and Chocolate Dreams!

Chocolate Chunk Oat Bars

Everyone loves oatmeal right.......
Well they do if it has chocolate in it, and in the shape of a yummy little bar!
These bars are not only simple to make, but very aesthetically pleasing well. These bars have style and taste. What a combo! Enjoy them. They deserve it. Until next time; Here's to Cake Wishes and Chocolate Dreams!

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter; softened
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks, divided

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees f. Lightly grease 9 in square baking pan. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
2. Beat brown sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer at medium-high speed until creamy. Add egg, water, and vanilla; beat until well blended.Stir in flour mixture and oats; mix well. Stir in 1-1/2 cups chocolate chunks.
3. Spread dough evenly in prepared pan; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chunks. Bake about 3o minutes or just until center feels firm. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

*Courtesy of Gifts from the Kitchen

Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Oh yes, I said it. Chocolate.....Chip....Shortbread, and it's amazing. It's buttery chocolate goodness. With every bite, you might just let out a little moan of complete and utter pleasure! I know I did! I hope you enjoy making it and eating eat as much as I did. Am about to go snag another piece!!! Until Next time; Here's to Cake Wishes and Chocolate Dreams.

Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter; softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees f
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Add flour and salt; beat at low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Divide dough in half. Press each half into ungreased 8 in round cake pan. (I used a square pan).
4. Bake 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Score shortbread with knife(8 triangles per pan), taking care not to cut completely through shortbread.
5. Cool in pan on wire racks for 10 minutes. Invert shortbread onto wire racks; cool completely. Break in triangles.

*Courtesy of Gifts from the Kitchen

Oatmeal Pumpkin Raisin White/Chocolate Chip Cookies

They do taste as good as they sound. I have made these recently as you may see from one of my older posts(Pumpkin Spice Cookie). This time I jazzed them up even more...and they said it couldn't be done! What do they know anyway. This time I added chocolate chips in addition to the white chocolate chips, and I omitted the cranberries and replaced them with raisins, yes I did say raisins! With every bite you discover something new. All the ingredients compliment each other well. My family can't get enough. I made 2 cookie sheets full, and freeze 2 other cookie sheets that I will use at another time. These cookies do freeze well. I left in freezer up to a month the last time, and they tasted even better the second time around. I hope you try these, you won't be disappointed. I will leave the recipe. Until next time; Here's to Cake Wishes and Chocolate Dreams.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup(2 sticks) butter; softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 can pure pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 chocolate chips
1 cup of raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pie spice, and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter,brown sugar, and granulated sugar in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; combine until all ingredients are well incorporated. Fold in chips and raisins.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wore rack to cool completely.

To Be Thankful

I hope today when you are stuffing your faces with great food, that you are thankful for something. Today is a day that we should tell the people in our lives why we are thankful to have them in our lives. It's very easy to forget why and how we are able to celebrate this day with loved ones. Don't forget where you come from, and how you got here. I for one am grateful for the love of my life, my health, and all the wonderful people that surround me on a daily basis. Most days I get to caught up in life that I forget to express my thanks for all that they do. Today is the one day to sit back and be thankful for all that you have. I hope that today is going as great for you as it is for me. Happy turkey day. I will be back soon with some more great recipes. Until next time; Here's to cake Wishes and Cake Dreams.