Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to share a little love this morning. Happy Valentine's Day! This is the cake I made to show my beginner cake decorating class how to decorate a Valentine's Day cake.

Love to All! Have a nice day.

Rhubarb Granola Muffins

Today's muffin recipe is from an old newspaper clipping. They are awesome! I can't even tell which newspaper they came from but it doesn't really matter! They are crunchy and good. I used Harvest Crunch cereal where it calls for granola so they contain lovely slivers of almonds. 

Rhubarb Granola Muffin Recipe

1 3/4 cups flour

1 1/4 cups granola

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups chopped (1/2 inch pieces) rhubarb

1/2 cup granola for topping

1. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, 1 1/4 cups granola, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs; whisk in milk, oil and vanilla; stir in dry ingredients until almost combined. Stir in rhubarb.
3. Spoon into greased or lined muffin cups. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup granola over the batter, pressing lightly on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven at 375degrees F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Pretty simple! Enjoy with your next cup of coffee or tea!

Cranberry Apple Muffins

Today's idea came from my husband, who asked me for Cranberry Apple Muffins. I adapted a Raspberry Apple muffin recipe in my Mostly Muffins Company's Coming cookbook. They turned out really good. He was happy.

Here's the recipe I made for 24 muffins:

Cranberry Apple Muffin Recipe
3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt

3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream (or 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup yogurt)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup milk

1 1/2 cups chopped cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 1/4 cups diced, peeled cooking apple

Topping:
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Measure flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. Stir. Make a well in centre.

Combine eggs, sour cream, butter and milk in a medium bowl. Add to well.

Add cranberries and apples. Stir just until moistened. Fill 24 lined or greased muffin cups full.

Topping:

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp. over each muffin.

Bake in 375 degree oven for about 25 minutes, or until wooded pick inserted in centre of muffin comes out clean. Let stand in pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool. Makes 24 muffins.

Peanut Butter Fudge

Had a craving for some fudge, so I whipped up some of this right after supper. It is fairly quick and easy. Took about 1/2 hour from start to finish (that is, eating it!).

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
2 cups granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup milk
pinch salt

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup marshmallow creme (I used 8 large marshmallows, melted in the microwave when it was time for the creme to go in.)
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, butter, milk and salt in large heavy saucepan. Heat and stir on medium until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Boil slowly, uncovered for about 8 minutes, stirring twice, until mixture reaches soft ball stage (about 235 degrees F, 113 degrees C, on candy thermometer) or until small amount dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball that flattens on its own accord when removed. Remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir in peanut butter, marshmallow creme and vanilla. Pour into greased 8 x 8 inch pan. Spread evenly. Cool. Makes about 1 1/2 lbs. Cuts into 64 pieces.

Enjoy!