Apple Streusel Muffins - Part II

As some of you may remember I had made apple streusel muffins just a little while ago.  They had turned out overall very well, but I thought I needed to make some improvements.

The biggest thing that I felt needed adjusting was the filling.  I felt there needed to be much more and it needed to be more solid.  Here is what it looked liked the first time.....

Not bad, but could be better.

Now here it the improvement......

Better?  I like to think so.

What I did was use a brownie bite mold from Wilton.  The main purpose of the mold is to make 24 bite size brownies.  I instead froze the apple cinnamon filling in it.  I feel that the mold worked great.  My only fear was getting the filling out of the mold, but because it was silicone I was able to easily pop them out.  The one thing I must remember is to put the mold make in the freezer while a batch of muffins is baking.  Even though I kept the mold in the refrigerator the filling started to soften up a little too much. 

The extra filling I feel added to the taste of the muffin.  Also, with doing it this way I think the kinds of filling are endless.  The basic muffin mix can stay the same, just chance the filling and the topping.  (I think I may of just added another item I can sell.)

I did experiment with Strawberry Muffins, too.  But, that is whole another post.  

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Homemade Gift Baskets

I was reminded by my daughter's iTouch just the other day that it was only 95 days until Christmas.  (Still not sure if getting that Countdown to Christmas app was a good idea or not)  But that aside it did get me thinking about a few things.  I know trying to start my own home business is a relatively new adventure for me, but I have been baking for several years.  Many of friends, family and co-workers have had the misfortune pleasure of trying out many different baked goods over the years.  A few years ago I did make up a few gift baskets for my husband's co-workers and office staff.  I wanted to do it again this years, but I am actually at a lost at what to make.  I know I know, that must sound strange, but it is true.  I know I could always make old standbys like chocolate chip cookies, brownies, gingerbread and other typical holiday things.  But there is nothing typical about me.  Is that good or bad?  Anyway.....  what to bake, what to bake?

I now know I will be scanning the websites looking for different things, hoping to find a few things new to try.  Of course I need to narrow my search.  I need to look for things that are individual, like cookies. or things that can be easily divided like loaves of bread.  I also really don't want to to make things I made before.  Before I made Rocky Road Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Individual Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Peanut Butter Blossoms and Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies.

I did make a post on Facebook asking for some suggestions.  I know not everyone reads that, so that is why I am writing this post.  I hoping to may be reach a few more people that might be willing to help with my dilemma.  I am open to any ideas you may have.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Valentine's Day Treats

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I needed to make some sort of treat for my daughter's class.  The party itself was today.  So, for the longest time I couldn't decided what I want to make.  It didn't help that she was also snack girl for another day this week.  But, finally I decided to make brownie pops.  I did make them different then what most of the websites called for.  Instead of making the brownie balls and putting them on a stick, I cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter.  Alton Brown would be proud of me for not letting something in my kitchen be an uni-tasker.  (Sorry for the reference to those of you who don't watch Food Network)  Any way here was the final result......

As you can see, I cut them in heart shapes and put them on a popsicle stick.  I then drizzled melted milk chocolate over the top and sprinkled them with candy hearts. 

I did have left over brownies which I did do the more traditional "pop".  I just made little balls with the leftover and put them in lollipop sticks.  I did dip some in chocolate while left others plain.  My daughter went after these right away.  She kept saying..."Mommy, I taste, I taste."  Of course being the great mom that I am, I let her have one of each.  She devoured them in a blink of an eye.  I will take it they were good then.  I didn't keep any for myself though.  I handed out the rest to my co-workers.  They all said they looked great.  So, I will see on Friday how they thought they tasted.

I do have a cake order for a birthday party in two weeks.  I get to make another transformer cake.  This time the "good guy" logo.  I will post pictures and tell you all about it next time.

Until next time.......Happy Baking!