Chocolate Macaroon Muffins

chocolate macaroon muffins

Who said chocolate wasn’t a breakfast food?

filling

Combine:

1 cup coconut

¼ cup condensed milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Set aside.

muffins

Combine:

2 cups flour

½ cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoon cocoa

3 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Set aside. Combine

1 cup milk

1 egg

⅓ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

add to dry ingredients just until moistened. Spoon 2 tablespoons of batter into each muffins cup. Add 2 teaspoon filling, but do not spread. Top with remaining batter. Bake at 400˚ for 20-22 minutes. Makes 12

I could have used some of these chocolate bombs this morning.  I've been fighting a cold for the past few days and I need some real power to get me going.  I just hope this sinus business doesn't spread to all the Barbie Nation.  I am in no mood to take care of seven prima donnas.

Annette looks like she escaped from a chocolate shop today.  Her tiny dot cotton dress is accented by a contrasting yellow collar and detachable apron.  If she could cook the way she looks...

Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

cranberry orange pound cake

When you are entertaining that rare breed of folks who claim they don’t like sweets, this cake may tempt their taste buds. Make the glaze a day ahead!

glaze

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup water

Bring to a boil and add orange peel.

peel of two oranges, sliced in strips

Cook 10 minutes. Remove from hot liquid and set on parchment paper to cool. 

To the remaining liquid, add:

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

½ cup orange juice concentrate

Set aside to cool and dry completely. Allow 24 hours.

cake

1½ cups (3 sticks) butter

1½ cups granulated sugar

Beat until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time.

4 eggs

Stir in dry ingredients.

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Add:

¼ teaspoon orange oil or extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup orange juice concentrate

Combine until smooth. Add:

1 cup dried cranberries, diced and tossed with 1 tablespoon flour

2 tablespoons candied orange peel, very finely processed

Stir and place in greased Bundt pan and bake at 350° for 57 minutes.  Allow to cool for ten minutes and then remove from pan.  Place some waxed paper under a wire rack.  Place cake on rack and pour glaze over warm cake.  Place back in pan and pour the remaining glaze on top and let it run down the sides.  Wait 20 minutes and invert on plate to cool.

Veronica is looking great in her gray floral.  It is difficult to dress for fall when it is still 90 degrees, but she carries it off with panache. We hear rumors that she is working on a novel.  Can't wait to read it!