(Middle of the) Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Do you swoon when you get within 100 yards of a Cinnabon? Does the combination of butter and cinnamon loosen your inhibitions? Well, then have I got a muffin for you. These "middle of the cinnamon roll muffins" are easily as good as that yeasty confection that we find so addicting. That they require no yeast or rising just means you can start eating them faster. This recipe is originally from Framed Cooks and was posted on the blog Fantastical Sharing of Recipes.

Makes 12 muffins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place paper liners in each cup of a 12 cup muffin tin.

For the cinnamon topping:

1/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbs finely chopped pecans
1 heaping tsp of cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

For the muffins:

1/3 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup milk

In a stand mixer, beat the butter for 30 seconds on high until fluffy.

• Lower speed to medium and add sugar. Beat for 2 minutes, scraping down sides as needed.
• Add egg and beat until combined.
• Add vanilla and beat until just combined.

In a medium bow whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

• Alternate adding flour mixture and milk on low speed (1/3 flour, 1/2 milk; 1/3 flour, 1/2 milk; 1/3 flour

Spoon 1 tbs batter into each cup of a 12-muffin pan lined with paper liners.

• Top each cup with a heaping tsp of the cinnamon topping.
• Divide remaining batter among cups.
• Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon topping.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

For the glaze:

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

3 tbs milk

Mix together glaze ingredients in a small bowl.

Cool muffins in the muffin pan for 12 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Drizzle warm muffins with the glaze.

Try not to gobble these all up at one sitting.

****************************************

TASTE NOTES

I was skeptical about the claim that these muffins tasted like the middle of my beloved cinnamon buns. Let me tell you:  they do! The ease of preparation is, of course, one reason I love these. But it's the taste that will inspire me to make them again and again.

Spicy and Sweet Pecans (AKA "Crack Nuts")

SPICY AND SWEET PECANS

Servings: Makes 2 cups
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Confectioners sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups pecans

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar, kosher salt, cayenne pepper and 4 teaspoons of water.

Add the pecans to the sugar mixture and stir until the nuts are evenly coated.

Transfer the pecans to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Do your best to make sure the nuts are evenly spread out (if they are clumped together, they won't cook evenly). Scrape out every last bit of glaze from the bowl and drizzle over the nuts.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the pecans are crusty on top and caramelized and golden on the bottom.

 Immediately slide the parchment off of the hot baking sheet and allow the pecans to cool completely on the countertop.

Once cool, remove the pecans from the parchment, breaking apart any clusters if necessary, and store in an airtight container.

NOTE: : Make sure you're using parchment paper and not wax paper (wax paper is not nonstick). If the nuts are sticky after cooling, that means they are a bit undercooked. Pop them back in the oven for a few minutes and let cool again.
*****************************
TASTE NOTES
I've made candied nuts before and enjoyed them, but these nuts are for grown ups. You might want to make 2 batches, one to eat yourself and one to serve. They aren't nicknamed "crack nuts" for nothing.

Taco Casserole

Just because I no longer work doesn't mean I want to spend hours in the kitchen during the week.  I saw this recipe in the magazine section of a local newspaper and decided I could work with it since it featured the Mexican flavor profile we both love.


Quick Fix Taco Casserole
6 serving (9SP per serving)

2 cups cooked brown rice (I used a packet of Sazon in preparing this)
1- 15 oz can fat free refried beans
1 cup salsa
1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef
1 pkg low sodium taco seasoning
3/4 cup reduced fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 oz corn chips, crumbled
1 (2.25 oz) can sliced, black olives
3-4 sliced scallions
OPTIONAL: serve with sliced avocado and sour cream (adds additional calories/SP's)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an 8-inch square baking dish, layer 2 cups of cooked rice. In a nonstick skillet, brown the ground beef. Add the taco seasoning and 3 tbs water and combine well.  In a large, microwavable bowl, combine the beans and salsa. Heat, stir, and pour over the rice. Sprinkle the cheese over the beef, scatter the crumbled corn chips over the cheese, then scatter the drained olives on top of the cheese.

Bake about 20 minutes (until piping hot). Top with the sliced scallions and, if desired, sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream.
****************************************************
TASTE NOTES
While each serving contains 9 Smart Points (more if you top with avocado and sour cream), the serving is so filling and contains protein, carbs, and veggies, so little more than a side salad is required to round out the meal. My younger self used to turn up her nose at casseroles, but this dish, though not photogenic, was delicious. I'm looking forward to leftovers and have added it to this blog, which these days is a repository for my favorite meals.