I mentioned some time previously that as we get closer to school starting (which it has) my kids seem to re-discover their desire to spend time in the kitchen. This summer was no different, and the other day Alex decided that she was going to take the neighbors muffins (if you are a neighbor and you did not get any, I promise next time–we had enough for the back end of the lane). She and Sammy decided that it would be Alex’s project, but that Sammy would be the baking equivalent of a sous chef–she could dump and stir. Believe it or not, they actually got along quite well and the process completely worked out:
Alex was in charge of choosing the recipe. She went through several of my cookbooks before landing on the Cinnamon Swirl Muffins in Muffins Galore
by Catherine Atkinson. I did very little, except help her swirl the batter and cinnamon sugar in the muffin tin.
Alex gathered the ingredients and equipment herself. She even helped clear and clean the counter! And yes, when you are full of clutter like we are, clearing and cleaning are not the same.
Sammy stirred as directed. In this particular instance, taking instructions from Alex did not seem to bother her. What I really enjoyed watching however was when they worked together:
Our muffins, as you can see, certainly did not swirl perfectly. But the deliciousness is fool proof! We loved the ones we kept, although Alex had a blast carrying them around to neighbors. Amusingly, she was most excited because the neighbor across the way, whom I have never met and who moved in about a year ago, has never been home any of the previous times we took food to the neighbors. But she succeeded this time!
- 1 1/2 cups self rising flour I made some using this recipe
- 1 t baking powder
- 1/4 t fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 cup whole milk
- 7 T unsalted butter melted
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 T Vietnamese cinnamon
- 6 T light brown sugar
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Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line your muffin tin (12 wells) with paper liners. Lightly spray the liners and the top of the muffin tin with nonstick spray and set aside.
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Whisk together the brown sugar and Vietnamese cinnamon. Set aside.
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Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside.
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Whisk the egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla together. Add the flour mixture and fold gently just until combined.
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Put about a tablespoon of batter into each muffin well. Sprinkle a heaping teaspoon of cinnamon sugar over the batter. Then repeat the layers, ending with a 3rd layer of batter.
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Using a skewer or knife, swirl the batter to marble the layers (if kids are doing it, just accept it may not be the nicest swirl ever but it will still be tasty).
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Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until risen and golden. Cool in the muffin tin for 5-7 minutes, then remove the muffins to a cooling rack. Be careful as the sugar is hot!
Great pics! Love the concentration pouring the milk. And, we get a view of some of your cookbooks. Some. Ha.
The muffins look great too.
It could be that I have a compulsion. We won’t call it a problem. 😉
Aww it’s so cute how the girls worked together to make these! And it looks like a winning recipe…I’m all about things that are cinnamon swirled.
What a kind & generous thing for your girls to do. Can’t wait to try “their” recipe.
These muffins look amazing!
holy smokes, that has to be one of the most adorable things i’ve ever seen. they’re so focused! great muffins, too–it’s as if they made them just for me. 🙂
Thank you!!! i think so too! 🙂
love the photos! Thoughts on whether and how you could do half whole wheat here since it calls for self rising flour?
I would use half whole wheat and half AP flour when making the self rising flour. I would think it would work. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!
OMG how cute are they?! Such adorable sous chefs ;). I love muffins, and cinnamon sugar is such a great combo. Yum!
Great recipe! I just made these, and they came out perfect! So delicious! I make donut muffins all the time (rolled in cinnamon and sugar) and this was a nice change up. Thanks!
Tried these today, they were very fluffy and the kids ate them asking for more. Will be adding to my recipes
Love this! Your girls will always remember their good times together in the kitchen. And sharing with the neighbors–priceless. Plus the muffins look fantastic. 🙂
Oh wow – how yummy do these look!! I can’t wait to make a batch myself.
Such a precious story about your kids baking together. Love the photos. You know a recipe is foolproof when it can be made by kids.
I remember when my girls would cook together! It was such fun to watch them.
YUM! I think this may be on my weekend to-do list 🙂
You use self rising and baking powder and salt?
I was surprised the original recipe did too, but the cookbook is British in origin–maybe it is a way to get extra leavener in when needed?
These muffins were so light and fluffy! My family sucked them down and they asked for more? I will definitely be adding this recipe to my recipe book! I added strawberries to the batter, and oatmeal on the top which made the muffins even better than they already were.
Thank you! And oooh, strawberries! Color me intrigued! Thanks for reporting!